MUSEUMS & HISTORIC SITES

KEY
g = group tours welcome
h = handicap access
r = restrooms

BROOKLYN

BrooklynHistorical Society Mini Museum
25 Canterbury Road (Building behind Putnam Statue) -
This small museum houses historic items from the permanent society collection. Featuring annual special exhibits. 2000 Exhibit "More Vintage Views of Brooklyn." Hours: Memorial Day - Labor Day; Web & Sun. 1-5PM; free, g. K18 g.

Daniel Putnam Tyler Law Office
Rte. 169 -
A small country lawyer's office where the great-grandson of Revolutionary War hero Israel Putnam practiced law from 1822 until his death in 1875. Maintained by Brooklyn Historical Society. Hours: Memorial Day - Labor Day: Wed. & Sun. 1 - 5 PM; free, g.

New England Center for Contemporary Art
Rte.
Changing exhibits featuring contemporary art from around the world, displayed in a four-story barn and sculpture garden.
Hours: May - Nov.: Wed.-Sun. 1 - 5 PM; free, g, h, r.

Putnam Elms
191 Church St. -
Built in 1784, the house has been in the Putnam family for over 200 years. Now maintained by the descendants of Col. Daniel Putnam, son of Revolutionary War Gen. Israel Putnam. Hours: End-May - mid-Oct.: Wed. & Sun. 1 - 4 PM, and by appointment; free, g, h.

CANTERBURY

Prudence Crandall Museum
Rtes. 14 &
First academy for black women ) in New England run by the remarkable Prudence Crandall, Connecticut's state female hero. Period rooms, changing exhibits, research library, and gift shop. Annual Prudence Crandall Day on Labor Day Saturday. National Historic Landmark. Maintained by Connecticut Historical Commission. Hours: Feb. - mid-Dec.: Wed.-Sun. 10 AM - 4:30 PM; $2 adults, $1 seniors/children, children under 5 free, school groups free, tour group rates, g, h, r.

CHAPLIN

Chaplin Museum
1 Chaplin St./Box
18th and 19th century family memorabilia and local articles are preserved in this one-room museum, offering annual themed exhibits.
Hours: July - Sept.: Sun. 1 - 4 PM; free, g.

COVENTRY

Brick School House
Merrow Rd. -
Built between 1823-25, the Brick School served as a one-room district school until 1953. Restored in 1976 with furnishings from the mid-19th century. Maintained by Coventry Historical Society.
Hours: Mid-May - mid-Oct.: Sun. 1 - 4 PM; free, g, r.

Nathan Hale Homestead
2299 South St. - or
The 1776 farmhouse highlights the family life and times of Connecticut's state hero, remembered for his famous last words: "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Maintained by Antiquarian & Landmarks Society.
Hours: Mid-May - mid-Oct.: Daily 1 - 4 PM; $4 adults, $1 children, group rates, g.

Special Joys Antique Doll & Toy Museum
41 North River Rd. -
High quality, tastefully displayed, antique dolls and toys with names such as Steiff, Jumeau, Shuco, Bru French Fashion, Kathe Kruse in the exhibit. A few are animated. Hours: Thu.-Sun. 11 AM - 4:30 PM.

Strong-Porter House
2382 South St. -
This farmhouse of Nathan Hale's maternal ancestors, built circa 1730, was expanded in 1758 by the Porter family. It now includes local artifacts and memorabilia, a carpenter№s shop, carriage sheds, and a barn with exhibits. Maintained by Coventry Historical Society.
Hours: Mid-May - mid-Oct.: Sat. & Sun. 1 - 5 PM; $1 adults, children free, g, r.

LEBANON

Dr. William Beaumont House
169 West Town St. -
Birthplace of Dr. William Beaumont, 1785-1853, the "Father of gastric physiology," this 1760 cottage has a small but fascinating medical museum. Maintained by Lebanon Historical Society.
Hours: Mid-May - Oct. 1: Sat. 1 - 5 PM; g.

Jonathan Trumbull House
169 West Town St. -
Home of the only Colonial governor ) to support the War for Independence, the 1735 house, is furnished in period decor. National Historic Landmark. Maintained by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Nearby is the Wadsworth Stable where George Washington's horse slept. Hours: Mid-May - mid-Oct.: Tue.-Sat. 1 - 5 PM; $2 adults, children under 12 free, g, r.

Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. House Museum
780 Rte.
Jonathan Trumball, Jr., another Revolutionary War patriot, served as Governor from 1797 to 1809. His Georgian-style home features period reproductions and intricately-carved corner fireplaces. Maintained by Town of Lebanon.
Hours: Mid-May - mid-Oct.: Sat. 1 - 5 PM; tour groups by appointment, g.

Lebanon Historical Society Museum & Visitors Center
856 Trumbull Hwy./Rte.
This new museum and visitors center includes exhibits on local background, a historical and genealogical research center, and services for visitors to the historic sites around Lebanon Green. Maintained by Lebanon Historical Society. Hours: Please call.

Revolutionary War Office
West Town St. - 06249
The two-room store and office of Gov. Jonathan Trumbull became the headquarters of the Council of Safety, where members plotted strategy and coordinated supplies during the Revolutionary War. Maintained by Sons of the American Revolution.
Hours: End-May - Sept.: Sat. & Sun. 1:30 - 4:30 PM; free.

MANSFIELD

Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry
Willimantic Cottage, Weaver Rd.,
UConn Depot Campus (off Rte.
Changing exhibits from the collection of over 2000 puppets recognize puppetry as an art form and give visitors a unique source of education and entertainment. Hours: Mid-Apr. - mid-Nov: Fri.-Sun. noon - 5 PM; $2 suggested donation, g, h, r.

Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at UConn
Wilbur Cross Bldg. -
Greenhouse tours, Family Days, lectures and workshops. Exhibits are under renovation and are notto the public this year. Hours: By appointment or event; g, h, r. J8

Gurleyville Grist Mill
Stone Mill Rd. - 06268
1830 stone grist mill along Fenton River, has its original grinding equipment and bolter. The nearby miller№s house was once the home of Governor Wilbur Cross, and is now a small museum. Maintained by Joshua's Tract Conservation & Historic Trust.Hours: End-May - mid-Oct.: Sun. noon - 4 PM; Sat. 1 - 5 PM in August only; free, g, h, r.

Mansfield Historical Society Museum
954 Storrs Rd./Rte.
The museum features changing exhibits of furnishings, costumes, photographs and memorabilia relating to Mansfield history and an extensive local research library. Housed in former town office building and adjacent 1843 Town Hall.
Hours: June - Sept.: Thu. & Sun. 1:30 - 4:30 PM; $1 suggested donation, g.

William Benton Museum of Art
UConn, 245 Glenbrook Rd., U-140, University of Connecticut,  ;  
The State's art museum at the University of Connecticut is renowned for its exciting program of changing exhibitions. Call ahead for exhibition information. Hours: Tue.-Fri. 10 AM - 4:30 PM; Sat. & Sun. 1 - 4:30 PM; free, g, h, r.

POMFRET

Brayton Grist Mill & Marcy Blacksmith Museum
Rte.
This fine example of a one-man mill operation of the 1890№s has original milling equipment. The tool exhibit represents the craft of three generations of blacksmiths. Maintained by Pomfret Historical Society. Hours: End-May - Sept.: Sat. & Sun. 2 - 5 PM; free, g.

SCOTLAND

Huntington Homestead
36 Huntington Rd./Rte.
Birthplace of Samuel Huntington, signer of the Declaration of Independence, the c.1723 farmhouse is a National Historic Landmark and has many original features intact. during renovation. Maintained by Gov. Samuel Huntington Trust, Inc.
Hours: May - Oct.: 1st & 3rd Sat. of each month, 11 AM - 4 PM; alsofor 6 special events - call for schedule; donations welcome.

Waldo Homestead
Waldo Rd. (off Rte.
Built in 1714, the saltbox-style dwelling was owned by the Waldo family from 1715 to 1975. It now displays a collection of early American antiques, books, and farming implements. Maintained by Scotland Historical Society. Hours: By appointment; free, g.

STORRS see MANSFIELD

THOMPSON

Tourtellotte Memorial Room
785 Riverside Dr./Rte.
Located in the attractive Tourtellotte Memorial High School, the Memorial Room displays the excellent collection of antiques and furnishings of a prominent family from the late 19th century.
Hours: 1st Sun. of each month: 2 - 4 PM; free, g, h, r.

WINDHAM/WILLIMANTIC

Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum
55 Bridge St. (next to New England Central Railroad mainline) - 06226
Restorations of railroad rolling stock and buildings, moves the museum toward its major goal of an operating railroad village depicting the importance of railroads to Eastern Connecticut.
Hours: Sat. 9 AM - 2 PM.

Windham Textile and History Museum
157 Union & Main St. (Willimantic) -
Situated within a former mill complex, the museum is a lively place of learning and enjoyment, dedicated to preserving the history of the textile industry and the cultures of the workers. Research library, museum shop, mill floor. Hours: Fri.-Sun. 1 - 5 PM, and by appointment; $4 adults, $2 seniors and children, group rates, g, h, r.

WOODSTOCK

Roseland Cottage
556 Rte.
With its striking salmon exterior and Gothic Revival architecture, this summer home was the setting for parties with numerous Presidents. The 1846 house with original furnishings, bowling alley, and boxwood parterre garden hosts children№s events, teas, and concerts. Gift shop. National Historic Landmark. Maintained by Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities.
Hours: June - Oct. 15: Wed.-Sun. 11 AM - 5 PM (July 4 and Columbus Day). Tours on the hour, last tour at 4 PM. $4 adults, $3.50 seniors, $2 children, group rates, reservations for tea, g, h, r.