Events & Exhibits
2025
Exhibit – History Beneath Our Feet
Southern Connecticut State University's Department of Anthropology presents an exhibit of recent archaeology finds on the museum grounds by their Archaeology Field School. These objects broaden our understanding of and bring attention to the site’s 5,000+ years of Native American presence and the people who called the Whitfield House home after the Whitfield family sold it. Visitors can search for exhibit mascot Trowely throughout the galleries. Included with museum admission. Support provided by CT Humanities.
May 17 (Saturday) 11:00 am (rain or shine)
Cuff’s Witness Stone Installation Ceremony | FREE
Cuff was enslaved at the Whitfield House from 1772 to 1775 by Joseph and Sarah (Ruggles) Pynchon. He was a gardener, a teamster, and he may have served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Cuff was researched and remembered this year by students at Elizabeth C. Adams Middle School as part of a Witness Stones Project program. The Witness Stone Project's mission is to restore the history and honor the humanity of the enslaved individuals who helped build our communities. Speakers at the installation ceremony will include Pat Wilson Pheanious, Executive Director of the Witness Stones Project and former Connecticut state representative. Her ancestors were among the first to be memorialized with Witness Stones in Guilford. Dennis Culliton, Co-Founder and Director of Education and Special Projects of the Witness Stones Project, will share Cuff’s story and the research involved in uncovering it. Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to tour the Whitfield House and Visitor Center exhibit galleries.
June 14 (Saturday) 10:00-4:00
Connecticut Open House Day | FREE
June 22 (Sunday) 10:00-4:00 (rain or shine)
Trades Day | FREE
All ages are invited to immerse themselves in a free program exploring the trade of woodworking with hand tools. TradesUp will offer hands-on activities for participants to gain experience in skills such as basic math, measuring, and hand-eye coordination while developing a sense of confidence and self-sufficiency. The Eric Sloane Museum will offer participants the chance to work with antique woodworking hand tools. Prominent Connecticut woodworker Rick Liegl and his apprentice Lara Miller will demonstrate decorative woodcarving unique to 1600s and 1700s New England using traditional patterns like those found on period furniture on exhibit in the Whitfield House.
July 8-August 11 (Wednesday-Friday) 10:00-4:00 (weather permitting)
Archaeology Dig | FREE
Watch Dr. Bill Farley and his students from Southern Connecticut State University's Department of Anthropology as they dig on the museum grounds. No admission required.
August 17 (Sunday) 12:00-4:00 (rain or shine)
Nature Stewards Field Day | FREE
See live animals and discover ways to be a better nature steward from people doing the work. Meet some of Turtle Haven’s rescued and rehabilitating turtles. Learn how to help displaced and orphaned wildlife with Little Rascals Rescue at Raccoon Crossing. Well-Comb Home will display an observation beehive, and their local honey and beeswax products will be available for purchase. The Menunkatuck Audubon Society will share information about their local conservation work and have plants from their UrbanScapes Native Plant Nursery for sale.
Special presentations will take place throughout the afternoon. At 1 pm, meet an American Kestrel, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-shouldered Hawk, and a Barred Owl in a birds of prey presentation by Rose Crisci of Blue Moon Raptors. Angelina Carnevale from Turtle Haven will introduce some of her turtle ambassadors and talk about how to help wild turtles and pet turtles thrive at 2 pm. Tour the museum’s native pollinator garden at 3 pm with Heather Bradley and learn tips and tricks to do it yourself.
A craft area will feature supplies and instructions to make nature shadow drawings. All ages are invited to pick up their supplies and then explore the museum’s beautiful grounds to find their artistic subject, whether it’s a branch of a majestic red oak tree, a bloom on a native plant in the pollinator garden, or anything else that inspires them.
September 6 (Saturday)
Guilford Porchfest | FREE
This hyperlocal, all-volunteer community-building event celebrates the musical talent and creativity of those who live or work in Guilford, Connecticut: young to old, novice to professional, singers, instrumentalists…and everyone in between! Performances will take place at multiple venues, including the in front of the Whitfield House. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics and enjoy a great afternoon exploring Guilford and its musical talents. The performances are free and admission is required to tour the Whitfield House and Visitor Center exhibit galleries.
September 14 (Sunday) 12:00-4:00 (rain or shine)
WelcomeFest | FREE
Free family-friendly event open to everyone! Let’s celebrate our local cultural diversity and build a nation of neighbors!
October 19 (Sunday) 10:00-4:00 (rain or shine)
Making Chocolate the 18th Century Way
Robert Lecce and Edward Dirgo of Pewter Pot Fine Spiced Chocolates will demonstrate how chocolate was made in the 1700s. They’ll also be selling their chocolate bars and chocolate drinking mixes. The demonstration is free and, in honor of State Museum Sunday, admission to the Whitfield House and Visitor Center exhibit galleries is free for all Connecticut residents.