Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is participating in Connecticut’s Historic Garden’s Day at the Osborne Homestead Museum, Derby and at Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford, on Sunday, June 25 from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. – free of charge for all visitors.

Connecticut Historic Gardens Day, now in its 14th year, is designed to increase the awareness of the state’s unique historic sites and gardens and offers visitors an opportunity to explore a variety of historic garden styles. The gardens at the Osborne Homestead Museum and at Harkness Memorial State Park are two of fifteen members of the prestigious Connecticut’s Historic Gardens (CHG).

The Osborne Homestead Museum, Derby

Guests are welcome to visit the lovely Colonial Revival gardens and learn about the medicinal uses of the flowering plants. After strolling through the gardens, tour the historic house museum, view the photo exhibition of Frances Osborne Kellogg’s favorite roses from the 1893 New York City flower show, and learn about her love of flowers and land conservation.  

A decoupage workshop will be offered at the museum and guests can make artwork from pictures of the Kellogg Estate’s gorgeous flowers. All materials will be supplied, and there will be no fee. Complimentary museum and garden tours will be offered every half hour beginning at noon.

The Osborne Homestead Museum is open for free guided tours on Thursdays and Fridays
from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., and Sundays from
12:00 - 4:00 p.m.  It is located at 500 Hawthorne Avenue off of Rte. 34 in Derby. For additional information call (203) 734-2513 or email donna.kingston@ct.gov.

Tours of the gardens designed by America’s first female landscape architect, Beatrix Farrand, and the history of the Harkness Estate, EOLIA, will be presented free of charge from 12:00 p.m. -  4:00 p.m. by Park Staff and Friends of Harkness volunteers. Tours of the Harkness mansion will be available from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for a suggested donation. Visitors may also want to stop at the Gift Shop and at the Carriage House – open from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Bring a picnic and after your tours enjoy the spectacular views of Long Island Sound from the Great Lawn.

The gates at Harkness Memorial State Park are open year round from 8:00 a.m. – sunset.  Mansion tours are available for a fee on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park is located at 275 Great Neck Road, Waterford. For more information call (860) 443-5725.

For more information, go to www.cthistoricgardens.org where you will find additional selected events offered at each of the fifteen CT Historic Gardens and links to member pages.