If you are a history buff then this is definitely a place for you. My recent visit to Litchfield…read morewas a journey through the 19th century. While exploring I learned how Litchfield became such a valuable institution and game changer in the education system especially empowering women. The hands-on and interpretive exhibits alters your perception of what museums are for sure. Don't be fooled by the small size, the exhibits were beautifully laid out, very detailed and informative .. what I liked most is you can do it at your own pace. The museum is free to all and street parking is fairly easy. P.S: don't forget to catch a glimpse (across the street, while you still can) of the last sycamore tree planted by Oliver Wolcott...representing 13 colonies marking victory over British rule.

The Tapping Reeve House is the site of the first law school in America. Having gone to law school,…read moreand being kind of a nerd, I had to visit when I was in the area. There are only a few rooms with exhibits on the first floor of the house and no real tour, but the exhibits are informative, and the house itself is very nice inside. Tapping Reeve's first student was Aaron Burr, and as the school grew, he built a small classroom next to his house, which you can peek into. We skipped the 15-minute informative video, but the friendly staff member there gave us a brief synopsis of the history of the school, and I think that was enough. Admission is now free.

The Litchfield History Museum is located in the impressive colonial brick building that houses the…read moreLitchfield Historic Society. The small museum highlights life in Litchfield and surrounds with a series of small rotating exhibits. There's a small gift shop and the reasonable $5 admission includes admission to the Tapping Reeve House and Law School, which is right down the street. Open mid April through November.

From the owner: The Litchfield Historical Society is dedicated to presenting the history of the town of Litchfield,…read moreConnecticut through dynamic exhibits, diverse programs, growing collections, and innovative research. The Historical Society is comprised of the Litchfield History Museum, the Helga J. Ingraham Memorial Library, the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School, and the Tapping Reeve Meadow. Free Admission.

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

Local run library - community driven and loved. Staff is helpful…read moreKind book lovers. Children programs to adult programs plentiful. Supports local artist and travelers

I had often passed by the library on my way to Litchfield center, and never thought to stop in…read more Then I received an invitation to a writing workshop here and made my first visit. It's everything a library should be--roomy, full of books, great AV room, great staff, interesting displays, and most importantly, welcoming. Worth a stop by to see what's going on.