PORTER-PHELPS-HUNTINGTON MUSEUM

The 1752 Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, known as Forty Acres, is an 18th century farmstead on the banks of the Connecticut River that today interprets life in rural New England over three centuries. Through the words, spaces, and possessions of the women and men who lived here, the Museum portrays the activities of a prosperous and productive 18th century farmstead. Members of this household along with numerous artisans, servants, and slaves made Forty Acres an important social and commercial link in local, regional, and national cultural and economic networks. Throughout the 19th century the family transformed the estate into a rural retreat. In the 20th century the house was preserved as a museum by family members and now contains the possessions of six generations of this extended family. The museum is open Saturday through Wednesday, May 15-October 15. The museum has an active schedule of programs including "Wednesday Folk Traditions," an evening concert series focusing on ethnic folk music traditions held in June and July, and "A Perfect Spot of Tea" featuring Earl Grey, pastries and local musicians each Saturday in July and August. The grounds include the 18th century North Garden and the 1930 Sunken Garden, foundation to the original 1782 animal barn, now the Hadley Farm Museum. The museum grounds are available for weddings and parties.