Events & Exhibits

2025

Exhibit – History Beneath Our Feet
Southern Connecticut State University's Department of Anthropology presents an exhibit of recent archaeology finds on the museum grounds by their Archaeology Field School. These objects broaden our understanding of and bring attention to the site’s 5,000+ years of Native American presence and the people who called the Whitfield House home after the Whitfield family sold it. Visitors can search for exhibit mascot Trowely throughout the galleries. Included with museum admission. Support provided by CT Humanities.

May 17 (Saturday) 11:00 am (rain or shine)
Cuff’s Witness Stone Installation Ceremony | FREE
Cuff was enslaved at the Whitfield House from 1772 to 1775 by Joseph and Sarah (Ruggles) Pynchon. He was a gardener, a teamster, and he may have served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Cuff was researched and remembered this year by students at Elizabeth C. Adams Middle School as part of a Witness Stones Project program. The Witness Stone Project's mission is to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities. Speakers at the installation ceremony will include Pat Wilson Pheanious, Executive Director of the Witness Stones Project and former Connecticut state representative. Her ancestors were among the first to be memorialized with Witness Stones in Guilford. Dennis Culliton, Co-Founder and Director of Education and Special Projects of the Witness Stones Project, will share Cuff’s story and the research involved in uncovering it. Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to tour the Whitfield House and Visitor Center exhibit galleries.

June 14 (Saturday) 10:00-4:00
Connecticut Open House Day | FREE

June 22 (Sunday) 10:00-4:00 (rain or shine)
Trades Day | FREE
All ages are invited to immerse themselves in a free program exploring the trade of woodworking with hand tools. TradesUp will offer hands-on activities for participants to gain experience in skills such as basic math, measuring, and hand-eye coordination while developing a sense of confidence and self-sufficiency. The Eric Sloane Museum will offer participants the chance to work with antique woodworking hand tools. Prominent Connecticut woodworker Rick Liegl and his apprentice Lara Miller will demonstrate decorative woodcarving unique to 1600s and 1700s New England using traditional patterns like those found on period furniture on exhibit in the Whitfield House.

July 8-August 11 (Wednesday-Friday) 10:00-4:00 (weather permitting)
Archaeology Dig | FREE
Watch Dr. Bill Farley and his students from Southern Connecticut State University's Department of Anthropology as they dig on the museum grounds. No admission required.

August 17 (Sunday) 12:00-4:00 (rain or shine)
Nature Stewards Field Day | FREE
See live animals and discover ways to be a better nature steward from people doing the work. Meet some of Turtle Haven’s rescued and rehabilitating turtles. Learn how to help displaced and orphaned wildlife with Little Rascals Rescue at Raccoon Crossing. Well-Comb Home will display an observation beehive, and their local honey and beeswax products will be available for purchase. The Menunkatuck Audubon Society will share information about their local conservation work and have plants from their UrbanScapes Native Plant Nursery for sale.

Special presentations will take place throughout the afternoon. At 1 pm, meet an American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and a Barred Owl in a birds of prey presentation by Rose Crisci of Blue Moon Raptors. Angelina Carnevale from Turtle Haven will introduce some of her turtle ambassadors and talk about how to help wild turtles and pet turtles thrive at 2 pm. Tour the museum’s native pollinator garden at 3 pm with Heather Bradley and learn tips and tricks to do it yourself.

A craft area will feature supplies and instructions to make nature shadow drawings. All ages are invited to pick up their supplies and then explore the museum’s beautiful grounds to find their artistic subject, whether it’s a branch of a majestic red oak tree, a bloom on a native plant in the pollinator garden, or anything else that inspires them.

September 6 (Saturday)
Guilford Porchfest | FREE
This hyperlocal, all-volunteer community-building event celebrates the musical talent and creativity of those who live or work in Guilford, Connecticut: young to old, novice to professional, singers, instrumentalists…and everyone in between! Performances will take place at multiple venues, including the in front of the Whitfield House. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics and enjoy a great afternoon exploring Guilford and its musical talents. The performances are free and admission is required to tour the Whitfield House and Visitor Center exhibit galleries.

September 14 (Sunday) 12:00-4:00 (rain or shine)
WelcomeFest | FREE
Let’s celebrate our cultural diversity and build a nation of neighbors!

WelcomeFest is a FREE EVENT with music and dance performances, an interactive UNITY art project, kindness rocks, free tours of Connecticut’s oldest house and archaeology exhibit, and more. The Henry Whitfield State Museum is open to everyone and building a community that values all perspectives, backgrounds, experiences, and cultures.

ALL AFTERNOON:

• Interactive UNITY art project | All ages are invited to add their touch to this public art installation in front of the Whitfield House! UNITY is a large circular arrangement of poles, each labeled with an identifier (for example: “I am a parent,” “I have Asian ancestors,” or “I love winter”). You will take a piece of yarn and wrap it around any poles with which you identify. A canopy of interconnectedness forms as more people participate. In the end, this project celebrates the uniqueness of individuals while at the same time illustrating how we are all connected by something. UNITY will remain on display in front of the Whitfield House throughout the following week and the Guilford Fair. All supplies provided.

• Kindness Rocks | All ages are invited to paint kindness rocks for keeping, sharing with someone who needs some inspiration, or leaving somewhere to brighten the finder’s day. All supplies provided.

• Free Tours | The Whitfield House (Connecticut’s oldest house!) and the “History Beneath Our Feet” archaeology exhibit in the Visitor Center will be open for self-guided tours.

• Guilford’s History Museums | The Hyland House Museum, Thomas Griswold House Museum, Medad Stone Tavern Museum, and Dudley Farm Museum will be on-site to share the work they do to create welcoming communities for the benefit of all residents.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES:

The cultures of Spain and Mexico will be celebrated.

• 2:30 pm – Flamenco guitar music, song, and dance featuring Val Ramos, Tere Luna, and Yohanna Escamilla | Flamenco is a sophisticated, colorful, and complex music and dance culture with roots in the southern part of Spain known as Andalusia. It has evolved to integrate a variety of new music and dance elements, influences, and instrumentation.

• 3:15 pm – Mexican folk dancing and singing by Tere Luna accompanied by guitarist Val Ramos | This vibrant expression of the country's rich cultural heritage weaves together history, ritual, and storytelling and is often part of festivals, ceremonies, and national holidays.

October 19 (Sunday) 10:00-4:00 (rain or shine)
Chocolate the 18th Century Way
Robert Lecce and Edward Dirgo of Pewter Pot Fine Spiced Chocolates will demonstrate how chocolate was made in the 1700s. They’ll also be selling their chocolate bars and chocolate drinking mixes. The demonstration is free and admission to the Whitfield House and the "History Beneath Our Feet" archaeology exhibit in the Visitor Center is free.

December 5 (Friday) 4-8 pm
Firelight Festival
Gather outside Connecticut’s oldest house and escape the darkness of the approaching winter solstice in the glow of festive luminaria, lanterns, and outdoor fires. Enjoy roasted marshmallows, popcorn, hot cocoa, and mulled cider. Explore the first floor of the Whitfield House after dark. Learn to craft a punched "tin” (paper) lantern to take home. Tour the archaeology exhibit History Beneath Our Feet in the Visitor Center galleries and stop into the gift shop to do some holiday shopping. In the spirit of giving, bring donations for the Guilford Food Bank and new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Tickets may be purchased on-site the night of the event. They allow admission to the outdoor fire area, craft area, Whitfield House, and Visitor Center galleries: Adults (18-64) - $10, Seniors (65 & older) & veterans - $8, Youth (6-17) - $5, Children (5 & younger) & active-duty military personnel with up to 5 family members – free. Reservations are not required, and parking is free. The event may be cancelled due to rain or snow and there is no rain or snow date -- for updates, check here, Facebook, Instagram, or call 203-453-2457.