Take in Some Botanical Inspiration at Connecticut's Historic Garden Day

The picturesque and historic landscapes of Connecticut are throwing open their proverbial garden gates for a horticultural celebration.

Fifteen gardens, all members of Connecticut’s Historic Gardens, will be hosting special programs on Sunday, June 23 and giving visitors a chance to bask in the blooming views. The participating sites are scattered around the state and run the gamut from intimate herb gardens to sweeping artistic landscapes. While the focus of the day is on gardens, the sites all have equally tempting historic houses to explore.

Below, a few of the highlights:

Roseland Cottage, Woodstock
Saunter through the formal gardens surrounding the 1846 Gothic Cottage and take in a game of croquet. Built as a get-away from Brooklyn Heights for the Henry and Lucy Bowen family, the house and garden will both be open for the day. There will be guided tours of the garden and representatives of the U.S. Croquet Association on hand to teach you the finer points of the game. If you come attired in your all-white croquet togs you will rate a free tour of the house.

Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington
The first project of Theodate Pope Riddle, the fourth woman registered as an architect in the U.S, the grounds of the 1901 Colonial Revival house include the work of another important designer. Beatrix Farrand, considered the country’s first female landscape designer, brought her talents to the site to create the Sunken Garden. Activities for the day include guided tours, plein air painting and a presentation from the resident beekeeper.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, Wilton
Explore more than 60 acres of the landscape that Impressionist painter J. Alden Weir called home from 1882 to 1919. The beauty of the surroundings inspired Weir and his circle in their artistic endeavors and you can put brush to paint as well. The park will have watercolor supplies to be used on site and an instructor will be on hand to offer some informal guidance. A new tour, “Art of Gardening” will also be offered during the day.

General hours for the Connecticut’s Historic Garden event are 12 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, but special program hours and tour times vary for each of the 15 sites. Before you head out to explore make sure to check out the full program details at the event page here.

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