ONE OF GLASTONBURY’S BEST KEPT SECRETS

Connecticut River Valley Mansion, Welles Shipman Ward House, Open Every
Tuesday thru the End of August



Take a step back in time as you tour a Connecticut River Valley Mansion built in 1755.   Every Tuesday from
1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. throughout the summer, the Historical Society of Glastonbury (HSG) invites you to tour the historic Welles-Shipman-Ward House at 972 Main Street, South Glastonbury.
As a guest, you’ll be greeted by a costumed docent and given a tour of what was considered a mansion in its day.   The house originally owned by John Welles, a Glastonbury Shipyard owner, features the largest known period kitchen fire place in Connecticut, gorgeous unique antiques including one of two High Back Queen Anne Corner Chairs known to exist, a loom, weaving and spinning equipment.
You’ll walk thru the kitchen garden on your way to tour the backyard property which includes 4 barns & sheds, a privy, a smokehouse, and historic grape vines and maple trees. The recently relocated, rebuilt and restored “Oak Street” c. 1800 tobacco shed will be the future home of the HSG’s Tobacco Shed- Education Center-Museum.  Where the exhibits are not yet in place, some of the objects are so you’ll be able to watch the exhibits develop. Inside the white and red barns from c. 1800’s and the 200 year old English style bank barn, you’ll  find an  array  or  treasures  and  tools including  several horse  drawn buggy’s and wagons, including an R.F.D. postal wagon that was used in South Glastonbury, a Buckingham Cemetery hearse, a meat wagon, and sleigh.  The Welles-Shipman-Ward house awaits your arrival.  Admission is $5 for ages 12 and over. HSG members and Glastonbury Garden Club members are free.
For more information visit www.hsgct.org or phone 860-633-6890.