Evening at the Homestead: A Hint of Haunted Hale
Connecticut Landmarks Celebrates Fall, Food, Farms & Connecticut History at the Nathan Hale Homestead
Connecticut Landmarks will celebrate fall, the rich agricultural heritage of the Nathan Hale Homestead, and the freshness of Connecticut grown food, with Evening at the Homestead: A Hint of Haunted Hale on Saturday, September 16th from 5:30 to 8:30 pm (rain date: Sunday, September 17th) in our newly renovated Hale Barns & throughout the Homestead.
Connecticut Landmarks’ signature event of the 2017 Season will feature a progressive feast of passed hor d’oeuvres and stationed delicacies prepared by Cafémantic of Willimantic’s catering arm – A Moveable Feast – highlighting seasonal food, showcasing the bounty of eastern Connecticut farmers, food makers, and fisherman. Rand Cooper, The New York Times, calls Cafémantic “Unfussy, terrifically fresh food in a comfortable, quirky setting.”
Enjoy signature cocktails by Westford Hill Distillers - the first craft distiller in New England. Their Aged Apple Brandy was inducted into the Slow Food Ark of Taste in 2014. The distillery has received national and international recognition for the wide range of spirits they produce. In 2014 the Smithsonian Institute chose Westford Hill to represent craft distillation as part of their History of Food Series.
The evening will commence with Open Homestead, highlighting living history, interactive activities, and music by the Chris Marolda Duo. Tour the newly restored 18th century English barn built by Nathan Hale’s father, Deacon Richard Hale, and the early 19th century dairy barn with Fuss & O’Neill Design Build. The event includes a silent auction featuring quintessential food and local experiences from the Quiet Corner and across the State of Connecticut.
In attendance will be an ensemble of eccentric and ghoulish characters from Dark Walk. The troupe is led by Professor Andreas Nachtleitter, world-renowned paranormal researcher, investigator of the strange and expert in bizarre history. The professor joins us to discuss his research and attempt to root out some of the restless spirits haunting The Nathan Hale Homestead. To aide in this endeavor, medium Steven Gibson has been employed to conduct a seance on the property. This hair raising, spine tingling event will be a night to remember!
All proceeds benefit educational programming at the Nathan Hale Homestead, which opens its doors to thousands of schoolchildren each year. Individual Ticket $85; Individual Patron Ticket $100; Couple Ticket $150; Patron Couple $200. Registration required, register by Friday, September 8th at www.ctlandmarks.org or 860.247.8996 x 23.
The Nathan Hale Homestead is located at 2299 South Street in Coventry, CT. Registration is required, please call (860) 247-8996 x 23 to register. Individual Tickets are $75 each; Patron Tickets are $150 each and include a VIP liqueur tasting at 5 pm with Westford Hill Distillers. For more information on tickets visit www.ctlandmarks.org.
To date, corporate sponsors of Evening at the Homestead include: Accounting Resources Inc.; Fuss & O’Neill, Inc.; Robinson & Cole, LLP; and Whittlesey & Hadley, P.C.
About the Nathan Hale Homestead
Nathan Hale Homestead is the birthplace of Connecticut’s State Hero, Nathan Hale, who was hanged as a spy during the Revolutionary War. The house, built in 1776, belonged to Nathan’s parents and family, and is located on the only site he ever called home. Its furnishings include several Hale family possessions and other collections amassed by Connecticut lawyer and philanthropist George Dudley Seymour, who purchased the Homestead in 1914 and began a program of restoration that is largely preserved today. The Hale Homestead is situated on 17 acres, adjoining the 1500-acre Nathan Hale State Forest, lending to the site’s intact historic landscape and rural character.
About Connecticut Landmarks
Founded in 1936, Connecticut Landmarks, formerly known as the Antiquarian & Landmarks Society, is the largest state-wide heritage museum organization in Connecticut. Historic landmark properties include: the Amos Bull House, the Butler-McCook House & Garden and Main Street History Center, and the Isham-Terry House, Hartford; the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, Bethlehem; the Buttolph-Williams House, Wethersfield; the Hempsted Houses, New London; the Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry; and the Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden, Suffield. Connecticut Landmarks’ mission is to inspire interest and encourage learning about the American past by preserving selected historic properties, collections and stories and present programs that meaningfully engage the public and our communities. For more information, please visit www.ctlandmarks.org.