Barnes Museum, Litchfield Hills Travel Guide

4.4 (43)

Discover Southington's history and heritage at the Barnes Museum, a preserved 19th-century homestead with Victorian gardens.

The Barnes Museum, located in Southington, CT, offers a step back in time within the walls of an 1836 Greek Revival home. Explore the lives and legacy of the Bradley/Barnes family, who resided here for 137 years, through their preserved artifacts, art, and stories.

A brief summary to Barnes Museum

85 N Main St, Southington, Connecticut, 06489, US
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Wednesday 1 pm-5 pm
Thursday 1 pm-5 pm
Friday 1 pm-5 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Barnes Museum.

Visit on weekdays for a quieter, less crowded experience.
Check the museum's website for special events or workshops during your visit.
Take a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the museum's history and collection.
Explore the Bradley & Leila Barnes Victorian Gardens surrounding the museum.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Little Pond Boardwalk Trail

Litchfield Historical Society

Hotchkiss-Fyler House Museum

Mount Tom Tower

New Britain Museum of American Art

Explore Barnes Museum on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Barnes Museum, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

The Barnes Museum is located at 85 N Main Street in downtown Southington. If you are already in the downtown area, the museum is easily accessible on foot. From the Southington Town Green, walk north on Main Street. The museum will be on your left at the corner of Merrell Avenue.
Public Transport

CT Transit offers bus services to Southington. From a regional hub like Waterbury or Bristol, transfer to a CT Transit bus heading towards Southington. Disembark at the North Main Street stop. The Barnes Museum is a short walk from there, located at 85 N Main St. Check CT Transit's website for schedules and fares.
Driving

If driving, take I-84 and merge onto I-691 East. Take Exit 3 toward Southington and follow the signs for Route 10 South (North Main Street). Continue on North Main Street until you reach 85 N Main St. Parking is available behind the museum, accessed off Merrell Ave. Overflow parking is available at 1 Riccio Way in the municipal lot. Parking at the museum is free for patrons during operating hours. Metered street parking may be available on North Main Street. The municipal lot at 1 Riccio Way is a short walk away.

Discover more about Barnes Museum

Step into Southington's rich history at the Barnes Museum, a beautifully preserved 1836 Greek Revival homestead. Originally built for Amon and Sylvia Bradley, the home was passed down through three generations of the Bradley/Barnes family. For 137 years, the family shaped a legacy that's preserved within the museum's walls.Amon Bradley was a Southington entrepreneur, and his business ventures, along with those of his son and grandson, contributed to the family's wealth. Bradley Barnes, Amon's grandson, became known as the "richest man in Southington". Upon his death in 1973, Bradley bequeathed his family homestead and its contents to the Town of Southington, to be run as a museum.Visitors can explore 17 rooms filled with art, antique furniture, and personal belongings from the Edwardian and Victorian eras. Admire unique textiles, including Victorian gowns, top hats, and button-laced boots. The museum also showcases the innovative mechanisms and technologies that Bradley Barnes collected during his life. Don't miss the Goblet Room, a fantastical conservatory offering views of the historic gardens. The Bradley & Leila Barnes Victorian Gardens, surrounding the museum, feature meticulously maintained flower-filled gardens with stone paths and a gazebo.