The Hill-Stead Museum was the property of Alfred Pope, a rich art collector who made his fortune in thee railroad business. His daughter, Theodate, wrote in her diary that she wished for the house to be turned into a museum after her death. Today the Hill-Stead museum houses a fine collection of paintings and artifacts from as far back as the 6th century B.C.

“Along with all the beautiful fine arts, there’s wonderful decorative arts that they bought to accompany and match all the paintings,” says Sharon Stotz, the education coordinator at Hill-Stead, “You’ll see whenever there’s a mantle, that whatever’s on the mantle, whatever is on the floor, whatever’s on the upholstery, on the walls, is there to compliment the works of art in the room”

Pope was a huge art collector, and throughout his life he amassed a huge collection, including ones that are still very recognizable today. Among them are paintings by Degas and Monet.

Outside of the house, the museum still owns 152 acres of the original property. In the summer, they hold nature walks and other fun activities. The house also has a sunken garden right outside, that during the summer months, is home to a poetry reading. In the past some of the most famous poets in the world have come to read their poetry here.