News
HILL-STEAD WILL BE CLOSED TODAY, FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.
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Guided tours are back at Hill-Stead Museum!
We are thrilled to open our doors once again for the public!
- House tours will take place Thursdays through Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm
- Hill-Stead Guides lead tours on the hour; the last tour begins 3 pm
- Tours are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis
- There may be no more than 12 people per tour
- Tickets should be purchased upon arrival
- Hill-Stead also offers Exclusive Private Tours with our curator by appointment
- Hill-Stead’s gorgeous grounds and garden remain open to the public daily from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm
- Hill-Stead is also hosting From the Porch, a summer performing arts series; benefit auction events; and a summer camp—all of which are open to the public
Admission
Members | FREE
Adults | $18
AAA & Seniors (62+) | $16
Students | $12
Children 6-12 | $10
Children under 6 | FREE
Museum Members are always FREE!
Not a Member? JOIN NOW
We recommend that all visitors make reservations in advance
RESERVE TICKETS
Special Admission Programs
As a Blue Star Museum, Hill-Stead offers active-duty military families FREE admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across America.
Hill-Stead is a part of the Museums for All program and offers FREE admission for up to four people to with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Museums for All is a cooperative initiative between Association of Children’s Museums and Institute of Museum and Library Services to offer a signature access program that encourages families of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum habits.
Hill-Stead is a member of the Connecticut Art Trail. Discover Connecticut’s artistic treasures with the Connecticut Art Trail Art Passport. The $25 Art Passport includes one admission to each of the 20 member museums per year. Explore diverse, quality collections rich in history and heritage, including European masterpieces, American Impressionism, ancient art and contemporary culture.
Please note:
- There are no self-paced tours at this time.
- There are no school group visits at this time.
The safety of staff and visitors is our highest priority.
To ensure a safe, inspiring experience for all, we’ve adopted new health and safety protocols. You’ll find everything you need to know about your next visit below.
Social distancing best practices are in place. All persons entering the building will be required to wear a face mask covering at all times.
- Always wear a facemask and make sure it fits over your nose and mouth
- Practice safe social distancing. Please keep six feet between yourself and others (outside your party)
- Please wash/sanitize your hands at our sanitizing stations
- A limited number of visitors will be permitted at one time
- A one-way flow of traffic will be required in the House
- Contactless payment is available and encouraged
- Please let us know if you or another member of your party have traveled outside of Connecticut in the past 14 days or experiencing fever, chills, cough, or any other symptoms
Please note:
- There are no self-paced tours at this time.
- There are no school group visits at this time.
Summer on the Hill – A Painting and Nature Workshop Series
Begin your days at Hill-Stead, meet new friends, make art, and enjoy the outdoors!
Hill-Stead’s new summer camp, Summer on the Hill, introduces young artists to drawing and painting en plein air. Perfect for outdoor lovers with creative sensibilities! Participants will learn field drawing and sketching, and build skills in both watercolor and oil pastel, depending on age and interest. No art experience necessary!
New Session Added!
We have added a new bonus week: August 11 & 13
This special bonus week will feature new crafts, new art projects, and new games! Learn more
REGISTER for our new bonus week!
Summer on the Hill
This summer program runs from 9 am to 12 pm two days a week (choose either Tuesdays & Thursdays or Wednesdays & Fridays).
Week 4: Final Masterpiece
Use the skills you have learned to create a final showpiece in watercolor or oil pastel
Bonus Week: All New
This week features new art projects, games, and crafts
Program details
- For students ages 9 to 14
- 15+ are welcome to apply as “artists-in-training” to assist
- 10 students maximum
- Campers must dress appropriately for outdoor activities and bring snacks. Hill-Stead will provide water bottles and art supplies. All campers must wear masks, keep at least six-feet apart from other campers and staff, and wash hands regularly.
- Questions? Contact ebnerk@hillstead.org.
Cost
One week | $100
Siblings | 10% discount
Artists-in-training* | $80/week or $275/series
*Those ages 15+ can apply to assist
A New Multicultural Performing Arts Summer Series
From the Porch offers a diverse and dynamic showcase of music, dance, theater, and more
Building on the success of Hill-Stead’s indoor events and nationally acclaimed Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, From the Porch summer programming will take place on our 152-acre campus. The experiential events will happen several nights per week and be open to audiences of all ages.
Hill-Stead will kick off the inaugural series with a venerable celebration of the “Year of the Woman,” to coincide with the centennial of women’s suffrage. Our signature events will amplify women’s crucial role in history.
Bring a blanket and picnic or order beverages online through The Wise Old Dog (check back soon for beverage ordering link).
See all upcoming From the Porch events
Prelude Event – Kristen Renehan and Jim Mastrianni
June 20, 2020
6:30 to 8 pm
Tickets | $25 per person
PURCHASE TICKETS
Vocal-guitar duo Kristen Renehan and Jim Mastrianni bring their time and talent to Hill-Stead. Classically trained, musically appealing and daringly eclectic, the two musicians combine beautiful vocals with tasteful guitar to create an elegant, interesting musical experience for all ages. Next Saturday’s family-friendly performance will include jazz, pop, soul, rock and folk music with a twist.
Opening Night – Tammy Denease & Elizabeth Lyra Ross
June 26, 2020
6:30 to 8 pm
To coincide with the centennial of women’s suffrage, Hill-Stead will kick off its inaugural series with a venerable celebration of the Year of the Woman. The evening filled with storytelling and song will amplify women’s crucial role in history.
Tickets | $20 per person
PURCHASE TICKETS
Tammy Denease, an accomplished storyteller, actor, historian, and playwright will be performing as Sarah Margu, a captive on the slave ship, Amistad. Margu went on to become the first African to graduate from college in America (Oberlin College, Ohio). Tammy proudly brings the lives of significant, yet “hidden” women in history to life. Tammy received the gift of storytelling from her great-grandmother, a former enslaved person who lived to be 125, and grandmother, who lived to 100.
We are equally delighted to bring songstress Elizabeth Lyra Ross to the stage for our opening night. Elizabeth is the first African American female member of The U.S. Army Band and Chorus. Since completing her enlistment, her international career has included performances in Aida, Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Santuzza, and as both Bess and Serena in Porgy and Bess. Elizabeth has performed with the Metropolitan Opera and she was nominated for an Emmy Award on the Live from Lincoln Center Series.
Announcing the winners of the 2020 Fresh Voices Poetry Competition
Congratulations, Poets!
The winners are:
Haneen Alkabasi, Avon High School
Alicia Chiu, William H. Hall High School
Jake Colangelo, Joel Barlow High School
Olatunji Osho-Williams, Westminster School
Maggie Munday Odom, The Grove School
Charlotte Watts, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
For the first time, the Fresh Voices readings were performed live via zoom. Many things were missing from the event—the historical and beautiful setting, the applause of the crowd, live music, and contemplative silences between each reading. Zoom can never replace live art. But even virtually, the students’ poetry was transcending. For one evening, these young poets created a community through their creativity, intense curiosity, and commitment.
Hill-Stead Museum is grateful to all the Fresh Voices Finalists for their efforts and willingness to participate. We are immensely appreciative of the Fresh Voices Judges, who had a challenging task this year! Thanks, too, to parents and teachers who supported our poets! A special thanks to Hill-Stead Museum’s sponsors and donors, especially the Ellen Jean Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust, our members, and our amazing interns and volunteers.
A video compilation of the Fresh Voices Poetry Competition reading will be coming soon for everyone to enjoy!
Please join us at the opening of the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival on Sunday, August 9. Winners will read their poems in person at Young Poets Day featuring acclaimed spoken word poet and activist, Mahogany L. Browne.
Learn more about the Fresh Voice Poetry Competition
Hill-Stead Sheep on NBC CT
CT Museum Recruits Sheep to Lift Spirits During Pandemic
NBC CT
May 12, 2020
Hill-Stead Museum in Connecticut is offering a rather unusual service during the coronavirus pandemic to help lift spirits: virtual sheep experiences.
NYT says “Yes” to Hill-Stead
Dear Friends,
We wanted to share this exciting news—hot off the press! The New York Times said, “Yes” to Hill-Stead!
They accepted our proposal for a wedding story! Magdalena and Brett Day’s beautiful elopement took place in Hill-Stead’s Sunken Garden on Cinco de Mayo at the end of our incredible Giving Tuesday Now (May 5, 2020). The story appeared as a ¼ color-page feature in today’s Vows Section and posted online.
On a related note, a lovely couple out on an evening stroll at Hill-Stead offered their congratulations to the Day’s. Both had married at Hill-Stead on precisely the same day—albeit four decades apart! What sweet serendipity!
Congratulations again to Magdalena and Brett Day! Hill-Stead remains open for small, properly socially distanced, outdoor events. For more information, please contact Jennifer Mooney, Manager of Private Events & Corporate Functions (860-677-4787 ext. 134, or mooneyj@hillstead.org)
We are eager to hear from you. Your questions, ideas, and inspirations are welcome. Leave a comment on a post relevant to the topic or email brettb@hillstead.org.
We will strive to respond to questions as soon as possible, generally within 24 hours.
Best wishes,
Beth Brett
Director of Communications and Marketing
2020 Fresh Voices Poetry Competition Finalists
2020 Fresh Voices Poetry Competition
Thank you to all the high school students who participated in Hill-Stead Museum’s Fresh Voices Poetry competition and the teachers and parents who supported them. Poetry has the power to heal and bring comfort, particularly during these trying times.
United States Poet Laureate Joy Harjo attests to this statement: “Poetry tends to hang out at points of transformation…when a death happens in the family, or some other grief event, or marriage, or falling in love, or falling out of love, birth—people always turn to poetry.”
Hill-Stead is thrilled to announce the 2020 Fresh Voices Poetry Competition Finalists, congratulations to:
- Haneen Alkabasi, Avon High School
- Alicia Chiu, William H. Hall High School
- Jake Colangelo, Joel Barlow High School
- Holden Escabi, Wethersfield High School
- Ashton Hamre, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
- Hannah Kim, Glastonbury High School
- Rose Kitz, William H. Hall High School
- Alexandra Melo, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
- Maggie Munday Odom, The Grove School
- Olatunji Osho-Williams, Westminster School
- Connie Pan, Lyme-Old Lyme High School
- Sophia Ramirez, Wilton High School
- Melanie Trotochaud, Marine Science Magnet High School
- Cindy Troung, Educational Center for the Arts
- Charlotte Watts, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts
- Lauren Young, Trinity Catholic High School
Hill-Stead Museum would like to thank this year’s Fresh Voices judges, David Caldwell, David K. Leff, and Amy Nawrocki. The judges are currently reviewing the poems by the finalists. Fresh Voices readers, Kate Doemland of Miss Porter’s School, and Jamie Perry of Avon Old Farms School thoughtfully recommended the sixteen finalists from nearly 50 poetry submissions.
Covid-19 Update
Our first priority is the health and safety of our visitors, staff, volunteers, and neighbors.
Beginning June 20, public access to the property will return to its regular hours: gates and grounds will be open from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The museum will be open for private tours by appointment only. To make an appointment, please email maynardh@hillstead.org.
We enthusiastically invite you to attend From the Porch, Hill-Stead’s inaugural multicultural outdoor performing arts series, featuring music, dance, theater, and more. The diverse showcase kicks off on June 20 with a venerable celebration of the Year of the Woman, amplifying women’s crucial role in history during the centennial of women’s suffrage. The experiential events will happen several nights per week and be open to audiences of all ages.
For a schedule of events and information on buying tickets, visit From the Porch. We hope you will join us!
By linking our hands and sharing our resources, we can together create a dynamic and sustainable future.
Budding Photographers Photo Contest Winners
We are delighted to announce the winners of Hill-Stead Museum’s Budding Photographers Contest
We hope you enjoyed participating in this fun-filled contest while experiencing Hill-Stead’s glorious grounds this spring. Thanks, too, for those who voted on the competition and helped Hill-Stead exceed its goal, raising $2,825. Please stay tuned for news about our upcoming summer photo contest.
Congratulations to our winners in the following categories:
Architecture
Winner Joyce B. | From a Distance
Runner-up Donna W. | The Colors of Spring
Second Runner-up Azeem S. | The Grandeur
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- Joyce B.
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- Donna W.
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- Azeem S.
Landscapes & Horizons
Winner Gabriella R. | A Hint of Spring
Runner-up David C. | Croquet Sunset
Second Runner-up Kate E. | Rainbow
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- Gabriella R.
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- David C.
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- Kate E.
Living Things
Winner Donna H. | At the Pond
Runner-up Maddie M.| Lambs at the Hill-Stead Museum
Second Runner-up Gary A. | Grazing Sheep & Lamb
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- Donna H.
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- Maddie M.
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- Gary A.
Each of the first-place winners will receive a 9×12 print of their winning photo and a gift certificate worth up to $75 from Farmington Frame. All of the winners will receive a Hill-Stead Museum membership along with a $20 gift certificate to Hill-Stead’s shop.
