Old Saybrook Historical Society
350 Main Street
Post Office Box 4
Old Saybrook, Connecticut 06475
The Hart House museum and exhibit gallery will open May 15, 2024 for special appointment tours, and June 24 for weekend visits, 1-3PM.
The Hart House
Built more than two centuries ago in 1767 for his bride, Esther Buckingham, the General William Hart house is one of the earliest houses in Saybrook, the first settlement on the southern shore of Connecticut.
General Hart’s home was typical of the residences of the well-to-do New England settlers. It contains many Georgian features and architectural influences more common to Williamsburg, Virginia, and even to Dutch Pennsylvania than to other New England houses. The U.S. Department of the Interior has listed the house on the National Register of Historic Places.
Hart House Public Heritage Gardens Open All Year Round!
The Hart House Garden is situated directly behind the historic General William Hart house. The public is invited to enjoy its peaceful beauty year-round.
Shrubs, fruit trees, old garden roses, annual and perennial flowers and all sorts of herbs used during the colonial period were planted . An espalier pear tree was planted on the south-side of the Hart house. It still bears an abundance of (Williams) Bartlett pears every September.
Virtual Tours: https://saybrookhistory.org/programs-virtual-tours/
The rich history of Old Saybrook found in historical homes, artifacts, documents, letters, etc. was in danger of disappearing or being destroyed if an organization to implement the preservation of these items was not formed. A group of twenty concerned citizens decided to address this serious problem by creating the Old Saybrook Historical Society in 1958. Under the able direction of the first president, Frank Tinsley, a noted historian, author and scientific illustrator a formal Constitution incorporating the Society was established in 1966. Since then, this non-profit, all volunteer organization has made significant strides in its efforts to fulfill its mission…
Events: https://saybrookhistory.org/events-2/
Website: https://saybrookhistory.org
Image Credits: saybrookhistory.org unless otherwise noted