Joseph Webb House
The 1752 Joseph Webb House is where George Washington and French General Rochambeau met in May 1781 to plan the campaign which led several months later to the final battle of the Revolutionary War and the defeat of the British in Yorktown, Virginia. The Webb House was later owned by photographer and antiquarian Wallace Nutting. Read more.
Silas Deane House
The Silas Deane House, circa 1770, was built for America’s Revolutionary War diplomat to France as both his residence and as a power base for his political aspirations. The Deane House features an excellent collection of mid-to-late 18th century furniture made in Connecticut. The kitchen and second floor chamber in the rear interpret the life of slaves in this period. Read more.
Isaac Stevens House
The Isaac Stevens House depicts the life of a middle class family in the 1820s and 30s, with many original family possessions and a fascinating period toy exhibit. The interiors have recently been reinterpreted with the installation of reproduction block-printed wallpapers, which had become affordable and were very popular in middle class households at the time. Read more.
Buttolph-Williams House
Within easy walking distance is the Buttolph-Williams House. Owned by Connecticut Landmarks and managed by the Museum, it captures the spirit of Puritan life in New England in the 17th century and is the setting for the Newberry Award-Winning novel The Witch of Blackbird Pond (1958) by Elizabeth George Speare. Read more.
Events
Confessions of a Curator: A History of the New Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia
Phillip Mead, director of curatorial affairs and chief historian at the new Museum of the American Revolution will present: “Confessions of a Curator: A History of the New Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia,” on Thursday, September 21, 2017, at 6:30 p.m., in the Webb Barn at Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. The free event will be preceded by a wine reception (by donation) at 6:00.
Deconstructing the “Hamilton!” Phenomenon with Frank Rizzo
On Thursday, September 28, 2017, Variety theater critic and Connecticut arts writer Frank Rizzo will give a lively multimedia presentation on the phenomenon that is “Hamilton!” at 6:30 p.m. at the Webb Barn at Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. The free event will be preceded by a wine reception (by donation), at 6:00.
Alexander Hamilton to Visit WDS
The final battle of the American Revolution was planned by George Washington and French General Rochambeau at the home of Joseph Webb, in Wethersfield, Connecticut in May, 1781. Two months later, Alexander Hamilton led three battalions in that final battle, in Yorktown, Virginia, in conjunction with allied French troops, and forced the British surrender. It seems fitting that Hamilton will visit the former Webb home, now part of the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum (WDS), on Thursday, October 12, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. The free event in the Webb Barn will be preceded by a wine reception, by donation, at 6 p.m.
“Textile Treasures II” Digging Deeper Tour
Brilliantly colored and richly detailed clothing, shoes, and linens dating from the 1700s and mid-1800s will be featured during the Webb-Deane-Stevens (WDS) Museum “Textile Treasures II” Digging Deeper Tour on Saturday, October 7, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Space is limited and advance-ticket purchase is recommended for this behind-the-scenes view of an historic and well-preserved collection!
Up Close and Creepy: Witches & Tombstones Tours at WDS
Bone-chilling, historical details will be shared during the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum’s annual Witches and Tombstones Tours on Saturday and Sunday, October 21 and 22, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $15 per person. Space is limited and advance tickets may be purchased here.
Recent Archaeological Discoveries at WDS
Recent archaeological work at WDS has resulted in exciting discoveries spanning nearly four centuries. Members of Public Archaeology Survey Team, Inc. (PAST), which performed the dig, will shed light on their findings during a multi-media presentation on Thursday, October 26, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. in the Webb Barn. The free event will be preceded by a wine reception (by donation), at 6:00.
Antiques 101 – Digging Deeper Tour
Is it real or reproduction? Whether you’ve wondered if the dining set you inherited is really an antique, or merely dreamt of hitting it big on “Antiques Roadshow,” the new “Antiques 101” Digging Deeper Tour could prove helpful. “Antiques 101” is a workshop-style tour during which participants can learn some of the basics on how to distinguish authentic colonial furniture from reproductions. November 11, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Celebrate Three Centuries of Christmas – Dazzling Preview Party, Candlelight and Daytime Tours
The 2017 season will begin with the lively WDS Holiday Preview Party on Friday, December 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests will delight in a candlelight preview of the dazzling holiday decorations throughout the museum, stroll from house to house enjoying delicious food, wines and live holiday music, and chat with Mr. and Mrs. Silas Deane, Mrs. Claus, and guides in period dress. View more details.
