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Butler-McCook House & Garden: A Hartford Time Capsule

Discover Hartford's history at the Butler-McCook House & Garden, a preserved 18th-century home with original furnishings and a Victorian garden.

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Step back in time at Hartford's oldest house, the Butler-McCook House & Garden. Home to four generations, this well-preserved landmark offers a glimpse into 19th and 20th-century life with original furnishings, a Victorian garden, and exhibits detailing Hartford's evolution.

A brief summary to Butler-McCook House & Garden

Local tips

  • Visit during the spring or summer to fully appreciate the beauty of the Victorian ornamental garden in bloom.
  • Check the Connecticut Landmarks website for special events, workshops, and updated tour schedules.
  • Parking is easier to find on the street behind the property.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Butler-McCook House & Garden is located in downtown Hartford, easily accessible on foot from many nearby attractions and transport hubs. From the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, walk east on Main Street for about 5 minutes. The House & Garden will be on your left at 396 Main Street. No costs are associated with this approach.

  • Public Transport

    CT Transit buses serve the area around the Butler-McCook House & Garden. From Union Station, several bus routes will drop you off within a short walking distance. Check the CT Transit website or app for the most up-to-date schedules and routes. A single fare is $1.75.

  • Parking

    Several parking options are available near the Butler-McCook House & Garden. Street parking can be found on Main Street and the surrounding streets, though availability may be limited. Several parking lots and garages are also located within walking distance, including the Pulaski Circle Lot and the Arch Street Lot. Hourly rates typically range from $6.

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Discover more about Butler-McCook House & Garden

The Butler-McCook House & Garden, located in downtown Hartford, stands as a unique testament to the city's past. Built in 1782, it is the oldest remaining 18th-century home on Main Street. For nearly two centuries, four generations of the Butler and McCook families resided here, witnessing and documenting the transformation of Hartford from a colonial settlement to a modern urban center. The house itself is a treasure trove of original furnishings and artifacts, reflecting the tastes and interests of the family over time. Visitors can explore rooms filled with Connecticut-crafted colonial furniture, Victorian-era toys and paintings, and even samurai armor acquired during a trip to Japan. The Main Street History Center, located within the house, features exhibits that chronicle the neighborhood's evolution through the eyes of the Butler and McCook families. Behind the house lies a restored Victorian ornamental garden, originally designed in 1865 by landscape pioneer Jacob Weidenmann. The garden features a formal parterre with low boxwood hedges, beds of roses, perennials, and annuals, all connected by winding stone paths. It's a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, offering a glimpse into the horticultural practices of the Victorian era. The McCook family had a strong tradition of military service. During the Civil War, they were known as the “Fighting McCooks”. The World War One collection at the Butler-McCook House and Garden contains many of Philip's personal effects including papers, helmets and uniforms.

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