Historic houses, landmarks & museums of New England & the Mid-Atlantic

Magazine Antiques, April, 2005

CONNECTICUT

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

MYSTIC: Mystic Seaport-The Museum of America and the Sea, 75 Greenmanville Avenue, P.O. Box 6000, 06355. Mystic Seaport-The Museum of America and the Sea is the nation's leading maritime museum. Climb aboard historic tall ships, discover stars under the planetarium dome, see a working shipyard in action and explore exhilarating exhibits. Click on www.mysticseaport.org.

WILTON: Wilton Heritage Museum, 224 Danbury Road (Route 7), 06897. Two 18th century houses with 14 period rooms furnished to show changes in family life, the economy and style from 1740-1910; featuring authentic period paint colors, handmade wallpapers, reproduction fabrics. Major collections of Norwalk redware and stoneware; one of the largest collections of toys, dolls, and doll houses in the state; costumes, textiles, fully equipped textile-making room. A nineteenth century barn with major tool exhibit, "Tools of the Trades;" working blacksmith shop; changing exhibitions; gift shop. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Spring exhibit: "Child Life;" summer exhibit: "Made in Connecticut." Call for Sunday openings and special events (203) 762-7257. Fax (203) 762-3297, www.wiltonhistorical.org.

MAINE

BATH: Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington Street, 04530. Explore Maine's rich maritime history where it began! Bring the family. A world-class collection, historic buildings, narrated river cruises, and guided tours. Book Store and Gift Shop. Lunch and craft demonstrations (in season). Open daily 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (207) 443-1316.

ELLSWORTH: Woodlawn Museum, Rte. 172 (Surry Road), 04605, is the splendid home of Col. John Black, pioneer of Maine's lumbering tradition. This historic 180-acre estate, including the federal styled house (1824-27), outbuildings, gardens, and public park, is a treasure. Within the house are furnishing and artwork (95% original) collected, used, and displayed by three generations of the family, as described by The Magazine ANTIQUES (January 2003). Located Near Acadia National Park, 1/2 mile from downtown Ellsworth, make sure to visit Woodlawn Museum on your next visit to Maine. May & October-Tues-Sun 1-4 p.m.; June-September-Tues-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & Sun 1-4 p.m.. For information on tours, hours, and special activities, call (207) 667-8671 or visit www.woodlawnmuseum.com

PORTLAND: The McLellan House at the Portland Museum of Art, Seven Congress Square, 04101. The newly restored McLellan House (1801) is a rare and magnificent example of Federal-era architecture and interior decor. Interactive computer exhibits teach visitors about 19th-century architecture and design. Adults: $8. Open seven days a week in the summer. (207) 775-6148, www.portlandmuseum.org

MARYLAND

BALTIMORE: The Evergreen House, 4545 N. Charles Street, 21210. A fine example of Gilded Age architecture, this 48-room mansion on 26 landscaped acres was home to the B & O Railroad's Garrett family from 1878-1942 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy rooms filled with the Garretts' collections of Asian and post-Impressionist art, rare books, and Tiffany glass and changing exhibitions and performances in the famed Bakst Theatre. Guided tours. Gift shop. Open Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. (410) 516-0341. www.jhu.edu/historichouses.> BALTIMORE: The Homewood House Museum, 3400 N. Charles St., 21218. Built in 1801 as a country villa, Homewood was a wedding gift from Charles Carroll, a Maryland signer of the Declaration of Independence, to his son. This National Historic Landmark located on the campus of the Johns Hopkins University is considered one of the nation's finest Federal era homes and is renowned for its elegant proportions, superb architectural details, and furnishings. Changing exhibitions and guided tours. Gift shop. Open Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, noon-4 p.m. (410) 516-5589. www.jhu.edu/historichouses.> MASSACHUSETTS

CONCORD: Concord Museum, 200 Lexington Road, 01742; (978) 369-9609. "Where Concord's History begins"-17th-19th century Concord furniture, silver, clocks; Revolutionary War artifacts; Thoreau's Walden possessions; Emerson's Study; period rooms; "Why Concord?" exhibition; "Exploring Concord" film; exhibition through June 5th: Connecticut Valley Furniture by Eliphalet Chapin and His Contemporaries. www.concordmuseum.org

GRAFTON: Willard House and Clock Museum, 11 Willard Street, 01536. Circa 1718 birthplace and original 1766 workshop of America's premiere 18th century clockmakers: Benjamin, Simon, Ephraim and Aaron Willard. The collection includes the Willard homestead and 3 galleries with over 80 rare examples of Willard clocks and timepieces, period furnishings, family portraits and Willard family heirlooms. Through August 31, 2005: Willard Shelf Clocks: 1775-1830. The Museum Shop features horological books, antique clocks, and gift items. Guided tours conducted Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday 1-4 p.m.; closed Monday and major holidays. For special event information, please call (508) 839-3500 or visit www.willardhouse.org