"Nights in white satin Never reaching the end…read moreLetters I've written Never meaning to send" (Moody Blues) The White Memorial Conservation Center is truly an embarrassment of riches. Our visit started with a stop at their Nature Museum, which was spectacular. The building is jam-packed with exhibits of the area wildlife in the form of dozens of taxidermied animals. So expect to see things like bears, mountain lions, birds, foxes, fish, geese, deer, butterflies, snakes, etc. Children will be enthralled by them, if not a little scared by the snakes, and pointy toothed fishes. Much of the museum is dedicated to children, with their "Children's Corner" of a live beehive, a very cool digital microscope, a big display on "The Art of Taxidermy," and a fluorescent rock cave where black light turns some ordinary looking rocks into an acid trip-like experience. But the museum is just the tip of the iceberg because surrounding it is a massive system of 40 miles of trails that crisscross the property. We hiked on their most popular trail, known as the Little Pond or Boardwalk Trail. Yes, it's a real boardwalk that stretched well over a mile over the swampy wetlands in a loop around the pond. Fair warning- the boardwalk at times is pretty narrow and there are no guardrails at all. So as long as you watch your step you'll see and hear a lot - songbirds, bullfrogs, gorgeous water views, and a huge beaver dam are some of the highlights. The scenery is breathtaking. What a wonderful place to visit. We sure had an outstanding time here.

I came here to visit family and was told this was a popular place to walk or explore. There was a…read morecenter building here but I didn't get a chance to go in so only experience the walking path they had. Overall, it was a very nice walk. I came on a day where the temperature was a bit chilled but the sun was out (thankfully no bugs bothered me and not hot at all). There was this little wooden path you walk on to avoid possible mud or uneven paths so was cool for me. There were very beautiful colors out for the season and the water looked cool (wouldn't swim in it though). Was able to see a few birds and even a snake too but no where near me thankfully. There were a few folks around but wasn't overcrowded at all. It was a fun place to explore and would come back for sure. Hopefully get a chance to check out the center as I'm sure has information about the area.

This is an awesome museum founded in 2012. They have a small parking lot on the backside of the…read morebuilding. The customer service was friendly. This place is welcoming to people from all walks of life, it feels very inclusive. Tip: we got discounted museum tickets from the library. We easily spent three hours there and my children loved everything minute of it. Children are encouraged to pretend play. Exhibits are created for kids ages 1 to 10. Everything was hands-on, educational, and invokes the different senses. The Museum was organized by room and theme. We went to the dentist, grocery store/garden, diner, bank, tree house, a stage, music room. There was an area you can "paint" with a wet brush on the wall. A mini firetruck, a maker space, a toddler area, and various exhibits. The interactive floor was another favorite. There was an area where kids can drive on mini cars. They have many events. You can even host a birthday party there. I'm very appreciative of their Asian Culture exhibit; there's a Japan, China, and South Korean display. Overall, we had a fun time playing with the kids there.

This place was amazing. Staff as well as product inside. They have everything u need and are…read morearound all the time freshening the rooms. We spent 5 hrs (8 yo & 4 yo)

Attractive 2-floor gallery in Bantem CT (lovely Litchfield County). Featuring many artists…read moreincluding: Richard Pitts (colorful sculptures and oils), Patricia Udell, Paul Steinitz (amazing black & white photography), amongst some of my personal favorites. introduce yourself to affable and knowledgable Artur Matuszewski, owner & curator. Wonderful environment to interact with and acquire contemporary and modern art.

This art gallery is GORGEOUS. The first thing you notice is that the property outside has large,…read morecolorful sculptures scattered all around the building. The Colonial building itself was built in the 1700s and was restored by the owner, Artur Matuszewski. He kept as much of the original detail and wood as possible while turning it into this beautiful Contemporary/Modern Art Gallery. This two story building showcases artists' work perfectly. I went to see Emilia Dubicki's art. The rooms filled with her canvases were nicely interspersed with other artists' sculptures and furniture. If you love contemporary art, go check out this Gallery.

Lyman Beecher, the father of Harriet Beecher Stowe, was a Presbyterian minister in Litchfield…read moreConnecticut, in the long long ago. To commemorate this, in 1908 a plaque was placed on the Litchfield Green in presumably the location his church stood. In the modern era, this is right next to a road leading up to a traffic light, so observe with some caution for the cara behind you. It is located on the area of the Green across from the Litchfield historical museum. It is very pretty as plaques go, and being raised makes it easy to find.

When Lyman Beecher moved to Litchfield in 1810, he wouldn't have known that one of his descendants…read morewould alter the course of American history. The town green in Litchfield includes a very cool memorial plaque dedicated to Lyman Beecher and his children. The monument is on the site of the church where Beecher preached from 1810-1826. One of Reverend Beecher's children became a pivotal figure in American history and a catalyst in the abolition movement. Harriet Beecher (Stowe) was born in 1811, just a half mile away. In 1852, she published Uncle Tom's Cabin, an anti-slavery book that helped rocket America toward it's Civil War. The memorial was erected by the Litchfield County University Club in 1908. It's another great example of the incredibly rich history that seems to pop up in every corner of this small state.

Love this small gallery! Hidden gem with very cool exhibits that pass through. Staff is pleasant…read moreand quiet. Any questions you have they are glad to assist. The gallery also provides print outs on the featured exhibits and the stories behind the art. This time around I was able to catch exhibits by Pamela Stockamore , Retrospective. Sydney Morris , Nova. Last my fav out of all three Scott Richter, A melody of unrelated things. Kudos to all the artist. Good exhibit! I'll be back of course !

From the owner: To Champion and nurture artists at all stages of their careers and to empower a diverse community…read morethrough the presentation of inspiring exhibitions and educational initiatives.

A lovely marker located in front of Litchfield Town Hall. There is a separate entrance and exit so…read moreyou can drive around, or park on the Green and carefully make your way over to study it. Parking in the back is signed as being for Town Hall business only, and since the town trooper apparently keeps his office there, you may want to follow that guidance.

"Location, location, location", right?…read more Because it was located on the stagecoach route between New York and the New England towns, the village known as Litchfield thrived and became a strategic post during the American Revolution. So not only did George Washington sleep there, but so did Alexander Hamilton and Lafayette! Even way back then, Litchfield seemed to attract the beautiful people. Located on the front lawn of Litchfield Town Hall, this is a two-sided marker from the CT Historical Commission in the familiar white lettering on a blue background. It dates to 1977 and is in very good condition. The full inscription reads: Litchfield The "Greenwoods" or "Western Lands" of Connecticut were explored in 1715 by John Marsh of Hartford, purchased for fifteen pounds from the Potatuck Indians, who called the area "Bantam", and first settled in 1720. In 1751 this village was designated the seat of the newly organized county of Litchfield. A location on the inland stage routes between New York and the towns of New England promoted a healthy commerce, and during the American Revolution the town served as a supply depot for the Continental Army as well as an occasional holding place for Loyalist prisoners. In September 1780 General George Washington, attended by his aides Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette, lodged in this town en route from an historic conference with French allies at Hartford. Here Judge Tapping Reeve had established the first law school in America by 1784, and in 1792 a pioneering school for the education of females was opened by Miss Sarah Pierce. (reverse) By 1810 Litchfield was the fourth largest town in Connecticut, but then, overlooked by railroads and large scale water-powered industry, the town declined in population for almost a century, fortunately preserving a large portion of the architecture of her golden age. Here can be seen the houses where Ethan Allen, Aaron Burr, John C. Calhoun, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Benjamin Tallmadge, and Oliver Wolcott, signer of the Declaration of Independence, lived or studied. The village green and the areas of North Street and South Street within the Borough have been designated a National Historic Landmark. Points of interest open to the public include the Oliver Wolcott Library, the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, and the Litchfield Historical Society Museum and Research Library. At the western edge of town are Bantam Lake, the largest natural lake in the state, and the Litchfield nature center and Museum, on the grounds of the White memorial Foundation. Erected by the Town of Litchfield and the Connecticut Historical Commission 1977