June 25 Connecticut Historic Garden Day

Summer in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County is awash with the colorful blooms of summer and the Connecticut Historic Garden Commission that cultivates our love of historic gardens has declared June 25 as Connecticut Historic Garden Day! This special state-wide celebration will take place rain or shine from 12 noon - 4 p.m. The historic gardens in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County are planning special events and activities to celebrate their gardens and to make your visit even more fun. Below is a list of historic gardens that are celebrating the wealth of CT's beautiful blooms!

Bethelehem, Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden. Discover the treasures of the Bellamy-Ferriday estate. Stroll through the formal parterre garden designed by Eliza Mitchell Ferriday between 1915 and 1918. Grounds admission is free; regular admission applies for historic house tour.

Woodbury, Glebe House Museum and The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Garden volunteers will be giving tours through the Gertrude Jekyll Garden and answering your questions about Miss Jekyll's design and the history of the garden at The Glebe House Museum. Admission to the garden is free, but donations are suggested. Refreshments will be served. Call 203-263-2855 for more information or visit www.glebehousemuseum.org.

Derby, Osborne Homestead Museum. Visitors can enjoy tours of the museum's lovely Colonial Revival gardens and learn about flower and tree legends and Frances Osborne Kellogg's favorite flowers. After strolling through the gardens, visitors can visit the historic house museum and learn about Frances Osborne Kellogg's passion for gardening and land conservation. Complimentary museum and garden tours will be offered every half hour on the hour.

Bridgewater, Promisek at Three Rivers Farm. Promisek gardeners will be on hand to answer questions about the Beatrix Farrand-designed garden and the history of the land. Violinists from The Hartt School will perform from the garden terrace, and iced tea will be provided. For those wishing to sketch, draw or paint, please do! Admission is $5 per person.

Wilton, Weir Farm National Historic Site. Celebrate Connecticut's Historic Gardens Day at Weir Farm National Historic Site, where gardens and art go hand-in-hand! From 12pm to 4pm, park staff and Garden Gang volunteers will offer short informal talks in the Sunken Garden and Secret Garden about each garden's history, flowers, restoration, and ongoing preservation. In addition to the talks, visitors can spend an afternoon painting en plein air in the only national park dedicated to American painting. Join a professional art instructor from 1 to 4pm for informal art instruction using the park's free-to-use watercolor supplies! Be sure to see inside the visitor center for a special exhibition featuring contemporary paintings, photographs, and prints inspired by the park's gardens, buildings, and landscape.