FIELD TRIPS IN CONNECTICUT Table of Contents TOWN: PAGE BETHLEHEM --------------------------------- 1 BRIDGEPORT --------------------------------- 1 BRIDGEWATER ------------------------------ 1 BRISTOL --------------------------------------- 1 CANTON ---------------------------------------- 2 COS COB --------------------------------------- 2 DERBY ------------------------------------------ 2 EAST HADDAM ------------------------------ 3 FAIRFIELD ------------------------------------ 3 FARMINGTON -------------------------------- 4 GREENWICH ---------------------------------- 4 GROTON ---------------------------------------- 5 HADDAM --------------------------------------- 5 HARTFORD ------------------------------------ 6 LITCHFIELD ----------------------------------- 7 MADISON -------------------------------------- 7 MANCHESTER -------------------------------- 7 MYSTIC ----------------------------------------- 7 NEW CANAAN -------------------------------- 8 NEW HAVEN --------------------------------- 9 NEW LONDON ------------------------------- 10 OLD LYME ------------------------------------- 10 OLD SAYBROOK ----------------------------- 10 RIDGEFIELD ----------------------------------- 11 ROCKFALL ------------------------------------ 11 ROCKY HILL ---------------------------------- 11 SHARO ----------------------------------------- 12 SIMSBURY ------------------------------------- 12 STAMFORD ------------------------------------ 12 STORRS ----------------------------------------- 13 SUFFIELD -------------------------------------- 13 WASHINGTON -------------------------------- 13 WATERFORD ---------------------------------- 13 WEST HARTFORD --------------------------- 14 WESTPORT ------------------------------------ 14 WETHERSFIELD ------------------------------ 14 WILTON ---------------------------------------- 15 WOODBURY ----------------------------------- 15 WOODSTOCK --------------------------------- 16 Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc SUGGESTED CONNECTICUT FIELD TRIPS BETHLEHEM Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden 9 Main Street North Bethlehem, CT 06751 (203) 266-7596 www.ctlandmarks.org/properties/bellamy-ferriday-house-garden/ The home, built in two stages between 1754 and 1767, was originally owned by Reverend Joseph Bellamy, an 18th century evangelical preacher. The property was purchased in 1912 by the Ferriday family of New York, who updated it with heat, plumbing and electricity, intending it to be used as a summer home. Mrs. Ferriday and her daughter Caroline designed their gardens for their summer enjoyment. Visitors today will find historic roses, peonies, lilacs, and fragrant trees and shrubs. BRIDGEPORT Beardsley Zoo Volunteer Association 1875 Noble Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06610 (203) 394-6565 www.beardsleyzoo.org/volunteer.html Did you know that volunteers perform an integral part of maintaining this popular zoo? Volunteer duties are varied and may include greeting and/or educating guests, maintaining the greenhouse collection or becoming a zoo docent. While visiting the Zoo, observe the work of the volunteers and consider becoming one yourself. BRIDGEWATER Promisek at Three Rivers Farm 694 Skyline Ridge Road Bridgewater, CT 06752 (860) 350-8226 www.promisek.org/ Originally designed by Beatrix Farrand, the garden fell into disrepair over time. A local garden historian rediscovered Farrand’s plan, and volunteers now maintain the beds while respecting the original design. A pink, blue, purple, red and white color scheme predominates. BRISTOL American Clock and Watch Museum 100 Maple Street Bristol, CT 06010 (860) 563-6070 www.clockandwatchmuseum.org 1 An authentically restored colonial flower and herb garden is enclosed by a white picket fence centered with a sundial located next to the American Clock and Watch Museum. The garden, appropriate to a small townhouse built in 1801, was designed by Rudy Favretti in 1973 and has been modified keeping the integrity of the materials by the Bristol Garden Club and is maintained by the membership. CANTON Roaring Brook Nature Center 70 Gracey Road Canton, CT 06019 (203) 693-0263 www.roaringbrook.org/ With a mission to increase awareness, appreciation and knowledge of the natural world, the Nature Center offers dioramas, live animals, 6 miles of trails and outdoor gardens. In addition, a variety of presentation topics are available for clubs. COS COB Greenwich Botanical Center 130 Bible Street Cos Cob, CT 06807 (203) 869-9242 www.greenwichbotanicalcenter.org/ The Greenwich Botanical center is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting conservation, horticulture and the arts through educational programs, outreach activities and special events. Located on 61 acres, the Center includes walking trails, a horticulture building and library, gift shops, and offers a full program of speakers and workshops as well as a May Gardener’s Market. DERBY Osborne Homestead Museum & Kellogg Environmental Center 500 Hawthorne Avenue Derby, CT 06418 (203) 734-2513 www.portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Education/Kellogg/Kellogg-Environmental-Center-and-Osborne-Homestead- Museum Frances Eliza Osborne Kellogg, a businesswoman and conservationist, deeded her 350-acre property to the State of Connecticut to preserve the land for future generations. Today, the State Park’s Museum grounds feature formal flower gardens, ornamental shrubs and flowering trees. The Environmental Center continues to be the site of several FGCCT schools, which include Environmental School, Flower Show School, Gardening School and Landscape Design School. 2 EAST HADDAM Gillette Castle State Park 67 River Road Haddam, CT 06423 (860) 526-2336 www.portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Gillette-Castle-State-Park The 190-acre property overlooking the Connecticut River features the stone “castle,” a medieval-inspired mansion constructed by actor William Gillette. In addition, a Visitor Center, picnic areas and hiking trails leading to the River includes the Gillette Castle State Park Tree Walk created by the East Haddam Garden Club. FAIRFIELD Greenfield Hill Dogwood Festival c/o Congregational Church 1045 Academy Road Fairfield, CT 06430 (203) 259-5596 www.facebook.com/GHCCDogwoodFestival/ A celebration timed around the blooming of the pink and white dogwood trees in the area. The village is designated an Historic Site by the National Park Service. Call for dates. Ogden House and Gardens 1520 Bronson Road Fairfield CT 06430 (203) 259-1598 www.fairfieldhistory.org/visit/ogden-house/ The 1750 saltbox home built for the farming family of David and Jane Sturges Ogden was one of the few buildings to survive the 1779 burning of Fairfield. The property also includes an 18th century kitchen garden designed and maintained by the Fairfield Garden Club. Special tours are available by appointment. Connecticut Audubon Birdcraft Museum 314 Unquowa Road Fairfield, CT 06430 (203) 259-0416 www.ctaudubon.org/birdcraft-home/ The grounds of CABM include the Sanctuary, Museum (original headquarters of the Connecticut Audubon Society) and the Caretaker’s Cottage. Much of the Sanctuary has been restored and is maintained by the Sasqua Garden Club. Call for a changing calendar of programs and events. In addition to the Birdcraft Museum, Connecticut Audubon also maintains 6 centers and 20 sanctuaries throughout the state, providing a glimpse into a variety of ecosystems. 3 FARMINGTON Hill-Stead Museum 35 Mountain Road Farmington, CT 06032 (860) 677-4787 www.hillstead.org/ Hill-Stead was the first architectural project of Theodate Pope Riddle, one of the first licensed female architects of the U.S. The home which was built for her parents houses their collection of notable paintings by Monet, Manet, Cassatt, Degas and Whistler. The grounds of the 152-acre National Historic Landmark include stone walls, stately trees and the Sunken Garden designed by Beatrix Farrand. The Pollinator Garden is a new addition, providing food and shelter for bees, butterflies and birds through its native plantings. Stanley-Whitman House 37 High Street Farmington, CT 06032 (860) 677-9222 www.s-wh.org/ The circa 1720 National Historical Landmark house is furnished to reflect Colonial life, and is surrounded by period gardens, an apple orchard and heritage stone walls. Shade Swamp Sanctuary Route 6 W near intersection of New Britain Avenue Farmington, CT 06032 The Sanctuary features self-guiding trails through forest, swamp and ponds in its 800 acres. A 1930’s era shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and abandoned “cages” from the wildlife rehabilitation center still exist. The White Trail (2.5 miles) and the Blue Trail (1.3 miles) are marked with blazes. A Blue Trail map can be found here. GREENWICH The Bruce Museum 1 Museum Drive Greenwich, CT 06830 (203) 869-0376 www.brucemuseum.org/ The community-based museum highlights art, science and natural history through a dozen or more changing exhibits each year. Originally built as a private home in 1853, it is now a center for educational programs for schools, families and other visitors via its exhibitions, collections, blogs and special events. The adjacent Bruce Park features hiking, picnicking, and outdoor sports. 4 Greenwich Botanical Center 113 Bible Street Cos Cob, CT 06807 (203) 869-9242 www.greenwichbotanicalcenter.org/ The Greenwich Botanical center is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to promoting conservation, horticulture and the arts through educational programs, outreach activities and special events. Located on 61 acres, the Center includes walking trails, a horticulture building and library,