boothe memorial park and museum

We were in Stratford for the day, heard about this park via Trip Advisor. Very nice grounds, but museums and buildings were not open, on a Saturday, unfortunately.

Love this park. My company has its annual lobster bake there and it is a beautiful place. My son and daughter-in-law also had their wedding there in September 2013 and it is a great place to take photos. The grounds are beautiful, always manicured. Plan your next family event there. You must bring your own caterer.

Having lived in southern Connecticut for 40 years, about 15 miles from this place, you would think I would've heard of it - especially since I used to get the CT Travel Magazine every year and check off all the places I'd seen. I don't ever remember seeing this place listed. Nor have I heard of it although I worked in neighbouring Milford for 20 years and had various reasons to visit Stratford. It was, as many are saying here, a surprise. There are few places quite like it - it's like Connecticut's own very miniature version of the wildly eccentric House on the Rock in Wisconsin - eccentric owner leaves behind - oh, lots of things.Like the miniature lighthouse (which used to be surrounded by water, and still could be, if...) The windmill. The clock tower. The redwood pagoda (incredibly unique and well-preserved).The Merritt toll booth plaza (which my husband, of course, had to testify to having driven through "many times"). The rose garden, the grounds, the aviary with its budgies, the chicken coop (little kids will find much to find fascinating). The grounds are well-kept, and the various structures also.However, due to, I suppose, financial considerations, one can only see the outside of all these wonders. We were there on a holiday weekend. There were several patches of picnickers down the verdant hill towards the Housatonic (hidden behind a screen of tall trees) but also several people in the "attractions" area, and we were all peering into windows at the model trains, the Presidential house models, the main home (with its stained glass proclaiming it "The Oldest Homestead in America").This is a place that could benefit from a fiscal shot in the arm, not to maintain it, which seems to be being done successfully, but to make it a better attraction. Please don't tell me about the fireplace, etc., in that wonderful redwood building and make it impossible for me to see it. I note that people commented that there are "open houses", but this was a holiday weekend with many interested people there, and no way to visit the museum/s.There are some places that are better off left in their "natural" state, maintained but that's it, but this bills itself as a museum. The activities like blacksmithing mentioned here? Have a regular schedule, more frequently. The "dining hall"? Put in a little snack bar. Add a gift shoppette (evidently my husband saw something about one, but I didn't see anything...of course if there were a few items for sale in the museum/s, one wouldn't know). Put the water back around the lighthouse. Add a few more animals (attract those kids, and those young-at-heart who like to feed the ducks/bunnies/geese). Can that observatory be used? Or at least visited? Charge a fee for the tours, the snacks, the souvenirs; leave the picnic grounds, gardens and dog-walking free.Maybe this is the hope of the city of Stratford; if so, I hope it comes to pass. As of now multitudes more people are visiting the Two Roads Brewery in that town than this unique site. I can't imagine how wonderful this place would be with guided tours/activities - one could spend a lot of time here and learn a lot. If it truly is one of America's oldest homesteads, it deserves more attention. Alas, now I fear it will remain a jewel in the rough, and a relatively unknown one.

Boothe Memorial Park & Museum sits on an idyllic 32 acre site in the north end of Stratford, situated high above the Housatonic River. It was the estate of the Boothe family for many generations and willed to the town in 1949 for the public to enjoy.The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are many architecturally unique buildings and attractions on the grounds as well as a new, handicapped accessible playground. The park is open and free of charge year round and is the home to various volunteer clubs and organizations. The Friends of Boothe Park is a non-profit organization whose volunteers maintain the museums, artifacts, genealogy library, and prize-winning rose gardens and conduct tours and school programs and Opening Day events. The annual Great Pumpkin Festival is a huge attraction in the fall, while outdoor concerts and Shakespearean plays beckon visitors in the spring and summer. Sites at the park are available to rent for group functions. Tours of the historic buildings are seasonal (May - October) and guided tours for school groups can be

I go to the park nearly every day with my dog. Dogs are allowed on a leash and dog owners are expected to pick up after their dog! I have been walking this park for years and have noticed some decline in the maintenance of the grounds, it's just not as well-kept as it had been some years ago. I had taken the tour of the main house many years ago and glad I did because the hours that it's open for touring are scant. Museum tours are available June 1 to October 1, Tuesdays & Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays 1:00 - 4:00 pm. It's mid-May as I do this review and the trees and flowers are in bloom. The weather draws people out to explore little parks such as this. It's a shame they can't visit any of the buildings or have anyone there to explain things. The one thing I enjoy that nobody has mentioned is the little bird aviary that's to the left of the circular driveway at the main entrance. It's delightful to watch the canaries and the parakeets fly in and out the windows of the tiny aviary. The variety of mature trees are what gets my attention, there are some really unusual ones above the rose garden which is maintained by volunteers and is always neat and pruned.There is a printed walking map of Boothe park online, but other than print it out on a home computer, I don't know how a person would get one. It would be helpful if there was a box filled with these maps so visitors could find their way around. It would be even better if the buildings were open for viewing. Boothe Memorial Park is a treasure that's undiscovered by many people in Southern Ct. There's no record of it in what I can find online, but I for logical reasons such as accessibility to the river, I believe the British troops may have encamped here in the 1700's.

Very few local parks boast the history of this park. Originally the homestead of the Boothe family, the park includes other buildings that tell stories stemming from the Civil War. Original pictures, artifacts, tools, etc. occupy many of the buildings on this property. The "Civil War Room" is said to be haunted and many have become inconsolable upon entering (there was a Civil war uniform and weaponry on display in that room). A haunting face of a soldier has also been photographed looking outside fromt he attic window.The Ice building is a real treat and on special days (other than school field trip days), many volunteers are at your disposal to share a wealth of knowledge and demonstrate the many aspects of this property like blacksmithing, making a cornmeal pancake breakfast from kitchen tools of that era and many other events. The sunken garden hosts many Shakespeare productions on hot Summer nights.

The rose garden at Booth Memorial Park is well worth the trip. From Spring through Autumn, the variety and beauty of the roses is something to see (and smell!). There are park benches located in different areas, as well as a water feature. A wonderful place for some quiet reflection and photo ops. The garden is lovingly tended by a local garden club.

We have lived close to this park and museum for more than 20 years and although we have frequently enjoyed the park and especially the rose garden in the month of June, we had not been to the museum buildings in all that time. At an open house at the museum this year we toured for the first time. It is not large, but there are many interesting historical items and we enjoyed it more than we expected.

Went for a large group picnic and was surprised how clean and neat the park was. Well laid out and plenty of space. Parking limited but overall good time

Just a short drive from the parkway RT 15. Good parking area most of the building are viewed from the outside, check to see which are open. The rose garden is very nice. There is a old tollbooth to see. A clock tower, and many other building to see. On some week ends they hold all types of events, from easter service to car show.

A unique and lovely park and grounds which include some antique and ornamental buildings constructed by the Boothe brothers in the early 20th century. Lovely rose garden as well, and Shakespeare on the grounds on weekends in July.

This park takes a bit of effort to arrange any formal visit with open exhibits, but you can go anytime to see the absolutely beautiful garden. A real gem--it appears to be a favorite for weddings, but that will not interfere with a visit. Buildings are interesting even if you are not able to get into one--The Boothe brothers had some quirky collections---of odd, small buildings. We used to live nearby and the place is so charming that although I had other ways to drive home, I always drove by here. Check for Shakespeare in the late summer.

Imagine seeing an original Highway toll both from the 1950s, a chinese pagoda and an operating toy train display! Yes, its strange, but ecclectic and, though not large, makes a great stop off, very close to Merritt Parkway(RT 15). Plenty of room of kids to run around.

grounds awful, was there when there was a field trip with elementary kids, took a tour anyways and the people who where there to talk about the "houses" were rude and unfriendly especially to children during their field trip, 'staff' so on edge that the kids would touch something that it elevated the stress level. the whole experience is something I would love just to forget

I come here at least 5 times every summer. This is a huge span of old buildings, a small farm, and multiple playgrounds with a picnic center. Also has an observatory and free parking.