The Pope-Riddle house at Hill-Stead Museum is shown by guided tours only, except on the first Sunday of every month from 1-4pm and other special event days (such as May Market)
- Guided tours are led by Museum Guides, Tuesday through Sundays from 10am – 3pm
- Private tours for groups of 10 or more qualify for a group discount
- School groups also receive special pricing and can be reserved for any day of the week
- Self-paced tours of the house are offered on the First Sundays of every month from 1pm – 4pm
- The grounds and Sunken Garden are free and open to the public every day from 7:30am – 5:30pm
- To keep our museum accessible to all, Hill-Stead participates in the Blue Star Museums, Museums for All, AAA and Connecticut Art Trail programs.
Daily Tours
Highlights of Hill-Stead
One-hour guided tour of the museum—Tuesday through Sunday between 10am and 4pm, on the hour and half-hour, with the last tour at 3 pm. No advanced purchase required.
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.
Group Tours
Group tours are private tours led by Hill-Stead Museum Guides and require at least two weeks advance registration and $50 non-refundable deposit. In the event of closure due to inclement weather, deposits may be applied to a future date.
Please register below or contact the Education Department 860.677.4787 ext.136 or education@hillstead.org.
For student and youth group tours, please see School Tours.
REQUEST A GROUP TOUR
Highlights of Hill-Stead (10 or more people)
1-hour guided tour of the museum.
Tea and Tour (10 or more people)
One-hour guided tour of Hill-Stead followed by an informal 30-minute tea service.
Estate Tour
One-and-a-half to two-hour private group tour of the house, gardens and grounds. Great for garden and architecture enthusiasts! Please wear comfortable shoes.
White Glove Tour
One-and-a-half to two-hour private tour of the museum for up to four people. Offered between 10:30am and 2pm. Subject to availability. Get a glimpse inside cabinets, go behind ropes and much more!
Not a Member? Join Now
Hill-Stead Museum & Stanley-Whitman House combo-tour package — TWO for the price of ONE!
One-hour guided tour at each museum for adult visitors seeking an afternoon of learning and enjoyment in Farmington—Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 3pm, and Saturdays and Sundays between Noon and 3pm.
Adults | $15 per person (minimum of 10 people)
Please note:
- Add-on lunch options are available. See Details.
- A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required to reserve (check, credit card or cash).
- Museum memberships, passes and discounts may not be used towards this special offer.
- To reserve, contact Andy Verzosa, Executive Director of the Stanley-Whitman House (860.677.9222 ext. 305, averzosa@stanleywhitman.org), or the Hill-Stead Education Department 860-677-4787 ext. 136 or education@hillstead.org).
Additional Information
Reservations
Hill-Stead welcomes groups of 10 or more people but requires advance reservation and a $50 non-refundable deposit. Please reserve at least two to four weeks in advance of your visit.
Admission Discounts
Other discounts do not apply to group tours, i.e., AAA discount, library passes or coupons.
Timing
Allow ample time. General museum tours are one hour. We suggest giving your group at least two hours at Hill-Stead, so that in addition to the guided tour, individuals may see the 12-minute orientation video, explore the grounds and gardens and visit the museum shop and restrooms.
Accessibility
The first floor of the historic house is wheelchair accessible. The Sunken Garden, restrooms, and Makeshift Theater are all wheelchair accessible. Designated parking is available.
Amenities
Free on-site bus and car parking, reserved handicapped spaces, museum shop, and restrooms.
Transportation
Buses may not use the main entrance on Mountain Road to enter the museum. Buses must use the bus entrance located on Rt. 4. If you will be arriving by passenger van or car, please use the main entrance located on Mountain Road.
Restaurants
For a list of restaurants, see our FAQ page, or inquire in the Museum Shop.