Historical Parks

Surround yourself in the heritage of our State: experience Revolutionary War Battles, tour mansions of great philanthropists, see archaeological sites, or learn about our industrial past. We invite you to visit our Historic Parks and share with us a bit of yesterday.

Beckley Iron Furnace Industrial Monument, East Canaan
The Beckley Iron Furnace once produced iron for the manufacture of railroad car wheels.  It is Connecticut's best preserved example of a technology that has long since vanished.  The structure is part of the National Register of Historic Places.

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park, Groton
This is the historic site where, on September 6, 1781, British Forces, commanded by the infamous Benedict Arnold, captured the Fort and massacred 88 of the 165 defenders stationed there.

Fort Trumbull State Park, New London
Since Colonial times Fort Trumbull served as the location of various military forts, schools and research facilities for the United States Army, Coast Guard and Navy.

Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam
Atop the most southerly hill in a chain known as the Seven Sisters, William Hooker Gillette, noted actor, director, and playwright, built this one hundred and eighty-four acre estate, the Seventh Sister. The focal point of his effort was a twenty four room mansion reminiscent of a medieval castle.

Harkness Memorial State Park, Waterford
Enjoy the panoramic views of Long Island Sound from Eolia, the elegant summer mansion of the Harkness family set on over 230 seaside acres of sweeping lawns, with stately trees and spectacular gardens.

Osborne Homestead Museum
Adjacent to the rolling hills and open meadows of Osbornedale State Park, the recently renovated Osborne Homestead Museum encompasses the house and grounds of the former Frances Osborne Kellogg Estate. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its restored interior now displays the original contents of the estate, which constitutes a significant collection of antiques and fine arts.

Putnam Memorial State Park, Redding
This was the site of the Continental Army's 1779 winter encampment under the command of General Israel Putnam. The site consists of remains of the encampment, reconstructed log buildings, and a museum.

Shenipsit State Forest - Civilian Conservaton Corps (CCC) Museum,  Stafford 
The Museum is located in the only remaining CCC barracks building in the State and pays homage to the dedicated men who worked in Connecticut camps. The museum features a large collection of tools, equipment, photographs, and memorabilia from the former "Camp Conner" and 21 other camps in the State.

Talcott Mountain State Park, Bloomfield
The familiar Farmington River Valley landmark of Heublein Tower sits atop Talcott Mountain, a long, precipitous wooded ledge named after Revolutionary War hero John Talcott.

Topsmead State Forest
Topsmead State Forest is the former summer estate of Miss Edith Morton Chase, daughter of Henry Sabin Chase and Alice Morton Chase. Henry Sabin Chase was the first President of Chase Brass and Copper Company in Waterbury. Chase Brass was one of the leaders in the brass industry when Waterbury was the Brass Capital of the world.

Other Historic Sites of Interest

• Henry Whitfield State Museum
• Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine
• Prudence Crandall Museum
• Sloane-Stanley Museum