Historic homes in New Haven, Connecticut, bring state's past to life
Long Wharf
Long Wharf Drive
New Haven, CT
One of the oldest ports in the United States, Long Wharf has been active since the earliest days of New Haven's existence. Before the advent of rail lines and steamships, Long Wharf was a major port of entry for both imports and immigrants. Long Wharf has been designated as the home port for the life-size replica of the ship Amistad, which will sail from its base to other ports periodically.
Milford Cemetery
North Street
Milford, CT
This colonial cemetery contains the graves of several African-American Revolutionary War soldiers. A plaque honoring these soldiers is located at the First Baptist Church, at 28 North Street, also in Milford.
Nero Hawley's Grave
Riverside Cemetery, Daniel's Farm Road
Trumbull, CT
Nero Hawley was an African-American soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
New Haven Colony Historical Society Museum
114 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: 203-562-4183
Open: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-5 pm. Closed major holidays.
Exhibits on New Haven's cultural and industrial growth (1638 to the present), special exhibitions. Gift shop, research library, photo exhibit, family and educational programs. Admission: Adults, $4; seniors, $3; children age 6-16, $2.
500 Hawthorne Avenue (near Osbornedale State Park)
Derby, CT 06418
Phone: 203-734-2513
Open: Late April-mid-December, Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m. Grounds: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.
Former estate of Frances Osborne Kellogg. Elegant Colonial Revival home (1850), original antiques and fine arts. Formal rose and flower garden, English rock garden. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Admission: Donation requested.
Pardee-Morris House
325 Lighthouse Road
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-772-7060
Open: June - August, Saturday - Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm
Built in 1780, this home has been restored and displays a variety of furniture and household items spanning three centuries. Admission: $2 adults, $1 seniors and children under 17.
Prince Hall Masonic Temple
106 Goffe Street
New Haven, CT
This Masonic temple is one of the oldest founded by African-Americans in the United States.
Sachem Country House
111 Goose Lane
Guilford, CT
A stop on the Underground Railroad. Currently a private home and not open to the public.
Shore Line Trolley Museum
17 River Street
East Haven, CT 06512
Phone: 203-467-6927
Open: April, Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; May and September-November, Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Memorial Day-Labor Day, daily, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; late November-late December, Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Ride vintage streetcars through scenic woods and wetlands. View exhibits on the trolley era and tour the trolley collection. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission: Adults, $6; seniors, $5; children age 2-15, $3; under 2 free.
Stanton House
63 East Main Street
Clinton, CT
Phone: 860-669-2132
Open: June 1 - Sep 30, Tues - Sun, 9 - 11 am
Visitors to this homestead will see more than a 1789 Colonial: The building was the site of the first Yale University classroom. Free admission.
Thomas Griswold House
171 Boston Street,
Guilford, CT
Phone: 203-453-3176
Open: June - October, Tues - Sun, 11 am - 4 pm, weekends only after Labor Day
Unusual saltbox, built in 1774, features a blacksmith shop and special exhibits. Admission: $2 adults, $1 seniors and students.
Trowbridge Square
New Haven, CT
In the 1830's, Trowbridge Square became an early example of urban integration, where African-American and white workers lived in the same neighborhood. The community had two rules: No discrimination and no liquor.
United Church of Christ
Dixwell Avenue
New Haven, CT
This historic church was led by Reverend James W. C. Pennington, one of the foremost African-American ministers of his day.
Yale University
Information Center at 149 Elm Street
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-432-2300
Open: Tours daily, Monday - Friday 10:30 am and 2 pm; Sat - Sun 1:30 pm
This historic Ivy League University, founded in the 18th century offers walking tours of the campus. Many historic figures studied here, including Nathan Hale, President William Howard Taft and Noah Webster. Modern day Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton both spent time at Yale. Battell Chapel, the home of the Divinity School, was the site of efforts by Yale Students and Faculty to assist efforts to keep the Amistad Africans free.
Allis - Bushnell House
853 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT
Phone: 203-245-4567
Open: May 31 - September 2, Wed, Fri, Sat, 1 - 4 pm or by appointment
Cornelius Bushnell lived in this home, built in 1785. As the sponsor of the S. S. Monitor, Bushnell played an important part in American naval history. The house features antique furniture, household items and ship models. A focal point of every visit is the model of the S. S. Monitor. Free admission.
Amistad Memorial
165 Church Street
New Haven, CT
Completed by Ed Hamilton in 1992, this monument pays tribute to the 53 Africans who escaped their slavery by overpowering the crew of the ship Amistad. The monument is located at the site of the old New Haven Jail, in which the Africans were kept during their initial arrest.
Beinecke Rare Book Library
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-432-2977
Open: Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 5 pm, Sat 10 am - 5 pm
This library features an interesting mix of the old and new. The building itself was built in 1963 and features a sculpture garden and marble windows. Inside visitors will find original Audubon bird prints, a Gutenberg Bible and changing exhibits. Free admission.
Black Rock Fort and Fort Nathan Hale
Woodward Avenue
New Haven, CT
Phone: 203-946-8790
Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day, daily
Sitting on New Haven Harbor, these forts were reconstructed. Black Rock comes from the Revolutionary War era, Fort Nathan Hale from the Civil War era. Free admission.
Captain Elisha White House
103 East Main Street
Clinton, CT
Phone: 860-669-2148Open: Sep 1 -
Open: Sep 1 - June 30, Tues 9 - 11 am; July - Aug, Sat - Sun, 2 - 4 pm
A 1750 home, the oldest brick house in the region. Decorated with 19th century paintings, historic furniture and antique household items. The property also has an herb garden. Free admission.
Center Church
250 Temple Street
New Haven, CT
Founded in 1639, the original building was replaced by the current structure, built in 1812. A companion cemetery contains graves from the 17th century. During the Amistad incident in the mid 19th century, the congregation of this church was particularly instrumental in gaining support for the Africans, who were being held in the New Haven Jail. The property is a National Historic Landmark.
Deacon John Grave House
581 Boston Post Road
Madison, CT
Phone: 203-245-4798
Open: June - Labor Day, Wednesday - Sunday
Built in 1685, this home has also been a hospital, school, courthouse and inn during its lifetime. A donation is requested from visitors.
General David Humphreys House
37 Elm Street
Ansonia, CT
Phone: 203-735-1908
Open: Monday - Friday, 1 - 4:30 pm
Built in 1698, this house was home to George Washington's aide and the first American ambassador. Now restored, exhibits on colonial history can be found on the site. Children's programs are held during the school year. Free admission.
Grove Street Cemetery
227 Grove Street
New Haven, CT
Historic cemetery features the graves of several well-known abolitionists.
Hannah Gray Home
235 Dixwell Avenue
New Haven, CT
In the 19th century, Hannah Gray opened this home for wayward and indigent African-American women.
Henry Whitfield State Museum
248 Old Whitfield Street
Guilford, CT 06437
Phone: 203-453-2457
Open: April 1- December 14, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Dec. 15-March by appointment.
Connecticut's oldest house (1639) and New England's oldest stone house, built as a minister's home and town stronghold, Colonial Revival restorations 1903 and 1930s. 17th- to 19th-century furnishings, museum shop, visitor center. National Historic Landmark. Admission: Adults, $4; seniors, $3; children age 6-17, $2.50.
Hyland House
84 Boston Street
Guilford, CT
Phone: 203-453-9477
Open: June - October, Tues - Sun, 10 am - 4:30 pm, weekends only after Labor Day
Red colonial, built in 1660, features walk-in fireplaces. Admission: $2 adults, $1.50 children and seniors.
