Hill-Stead is the first architectural project of Theodate
Pope Riddle (1867-1946), one of the first licensed female
architects in the U.S. and an early proponent of historic
preservation. Designed as a country home for her parents,
Alfred and Ada Pope, the Colonial Revival mansion has
welcomed over 890,000 visitors since opening to the public
in 1947, and is one of the nation’s few remaining representations of early-20th-century country estates. More inviting and intimate than the typical museum, Hill-Stead gives its visitors a close-up, personal view of renowned masterpieces, textiles, and decorative arts in situ, creating the sense that a significant historical era has not been cleverly recreated, but rather carefully and creatively kept true and relevant. The museum’s collection of paintings by Monet, Degas, Whistler, Manet and Cassatt rivals artwork found in major art museums around the world.
In keeping with the Pope-Riddle’s tradition of bringing literary,
musical, and educational opportunities to the community, Hill-
Stead Museum strives to share its bounty. Through the generosity of its many supporters and volunteers, this National Historic Landmark continues to preserve, document, display, and interpret its exceptional paintings, 1901 historic house, collections and 152-acre landscape for the benefit of present and future generations.
