Home to a few of Monet's haystacks, a sunken garden and a poetry festival, the Hillstead Museum is also rich in Farmington history.
The house was designed and owned by one of Connecticut's first female architects, Theodate Pope Riddle, who later founded and built Avon Old Farms and the beginnings of Winding Trails.
Theodate Pope moved to Farmington after attending Miss Porter's School in hopes of having her own farm. Today sheep can be seen from Route 4, still grazing the pastures on the Hillstead's 152 acres. She left the house as a memorial to her parents, to be left intact, for a museum and gift to the community.
Today the museum is a National Historic Landmark, housing a treasure of French Impressionist paintings including works by Manet, Degas, Monet, Cassatt and Whistler, as well as Pope's own furnishings and library. Tours are offered as well as lectures, school-based programs and the poetry festival in the summer.
Individuals and groups are welcome to paint or photograph the grounds. See the website for details.