The Phelps-Hatheway House and Garden opens for the 2022 season on Saturday, May 7, and there is so much in store! Our gardens are beginning to bloom, and we are thrilled to share well-loved events from the past as well as new, exciting programs for all ages and abilities.
Beginning Saturday, May 7, at 1 p.m., and continuing through November 14, our visitor’s center will come alive with a two-person exhibition featuring small scale abstract and imaginative artworks by mixed media artist Katherine Tolve and painter Carianne Mack Garside. The creation of small-scale artworks acts as a means of exploration of new ideas, techniques, and subject matters and pack a punch all on their own. Kurt Vonnegut once said, “Enjoy the little things in life because one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” This exhibition pays homage to those little intimate works of art that are often the backbone to larger creations: big is NOT always better. The public is invited to meet the artists and to view their art on Saturday, May 7, from 1– 4 p.m.
On Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Suffield Garden Club’s much anticipated May Market returns for its 44th anniversary in the Hatheway Barn and on the adjacent lawn. A Suffield tradition, the May Market signals the beginning of the planting season. This favorite community event and fundraiser promises a variety of annuals and perennials, trees and shrubs, home décor, and local crafts—sure to chase away the winter blues. The market will be held rain or shine.
Also on Saturday, May 14, from 1 – 3 p.m., take a break from the market for our property’s new program: Second Saturdays at Phelps-Hatheway! Travel back in time to explore life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Hear about those who lived in our house, wonder at the beauty of the architecture and design, and take in the sights, sounds, and smells of our historic gardens. Each month will focus on a different theme and include a brief tour of our interiors followed by an activity that will inspire creativity and encourage sharing as we seek to understand the past and help to preserve this treasure for the future. Families with children of all ages and abilities are welcome. This May, guests will enjoy a special garden-themed tour of the museum and an exciting scavenger hunt of the perennial and herb beds as they begin to bloom. After the tour, join our staff in the Summer House as we help you plant seeds for summer herbs and share stories of favorite flowers. Regular admission fees apply.
The Phelps-Hatheway House and Garden is located at 55 South Main Street in Suffield and is open for tours by appointment. Please consult the Connecticut Landmarks website https://ctlandmarks.org/ for a full listing of the programs and events offered each month at our historic properties throughout the state.
Thank you for your continued support of our museum and we look forward to welcoming you to our site during the month of May!