butler-mccook homestead

The Butler-McCook House & Garden is a wonderful time capsule right on Main Street in downtown Hartford. Nestled between Bushnell Park and developing Front Street, this Georgian Colonial homestead is the oldest residence in this capital city. Steps from City Hall and the Wadsworth Atheneum it should not be missed, for all the wonderful objects serve as memorials of days of historical importance. The house is open for tour on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 12-4, but the garden is open all week. Pass peacefully through the Victorian garden smelling the roses (literally), spotting colorful birds, and communing with woodland greenery. There is also the Main Street History Center attached, as well as a modest art gallery spotlighting a different local artist each month. A museum that offers something for everyone - history buffs, gardeners, art lovers, architects, young and old.

What an unexpected suprise! Visited during Envisionfest 2013. One section of the house is a fascinating history of Main St and the city of Hartford. You will see downtown in a whole new light - the Park River hidden beneath, the massive changes - and the constant observer was the Butler-McCook family.Lovely rooms with Chinese artifacts including Samurai suits, Civil War relics, and even a magnificent Bierstadt landscape. Knowledgable and friendly staff.

The Butler-McCook House and Garden and Main Street History Center is a gem waiting to be discovered! The Butler and McCook families occupied the home for nearly two centuries, the last in residence until 1971! The house is full of art, antiques, artifacts and family memorabilia. The garden is an oasis of calm and beauty behind the house, complete with roses, a fountain, and grape arbor. The highlight, however, is the knowledgeable staff members who narrate the history center and house tours. Currently, the first floor of the house is “set” during Civil War times, depicting the family’s involvement in the war, both at home (preparation of care packages, knitting mittens, writing letters) and on the various fronts. Allow 1.5 hours minimum. Limited parking behind the house (enter from Prospect Street).