Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

Walk in the footsteps of Harriet Beecher Stowe, internationally famous author of anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Her 1871 home — now a National Historic Landmark — reflects Stowe’s Victorian decorating choices and includes modern gallery and interactive spaces connecting Stowe’s work to the present.

Freshly restored in 2017, Hartford’s Stowe House is the place to learn about Stowe’s life and work and the worldwide impact of Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

When you visit the Stowe Center, don’t expect a traditional historic house museum! Expect a conversational, interactive tour where you participate along with your guide.

Of course you’ll hear about everything that compelled Stowe to write her most famous novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin: her childhood, travels, marriage and family, and perhaps greatest of all, her courage.

You’ll see the beautifully preserved interiors of the National Historic Landmark — renovated in 2017. On the first floor, you’ll view rooms that reflect Stowe’s design choices and decorative arts as well as her own oil paintings.

But you’ll also connect the past to the present as you discuss 19th century social issues — such as slavery and the role of women — that still resonate today in the form of racism, mass incarceration, immigration or equal pay.

On the second floor, you’ll explore exhibits that showcase the complicated and controversial legacy of “Uncle Tom” whose name became a racial slur.

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s life and work is an example of how one person can make a difference. You’ll leave feeling inspired that you can create positive change.

Tours step off every half hour. 

Group Tours: available by advance reservation for groups of 10 or more.  To schedule contact: GroupSales@StoweCenter.org or 860-522-9258, ext. 307.

 

School Group Tours: Guided tours by museum educators of Stowe’s House and Victorian gardens available for grades K-12. Students learn about Harriet Beecher Stowe, life in Victorian Hartford, abolition, and how everyone can make a difference in their community. Call for reservations, (860) 522-9258 ext. 308 or email SchoolPrograms@StoweCenter.org.

 

 

Specialty Tours

The Stowe-Twain Experience:  Park once and visit both the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center and The Mark Twain House & Museum.  Learn about the authors' lives and discover how two Hartford neighbors changed literature and continue to shape the nation's view of itself.  Visit one historic site and get a $3 discount on a tour of the other.

The Family Tour: Storytelling, journaling and historic photographs/letters for kids 5-12. Offered every Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m., Tue. and Thu. in the summer at 1:30 p.m. or anytime by advance registration. Reservations requested: info@stowecenter.org or 860-522-9258, ext. 317.

Spirits at Stowe Tour: Experience Stowe's home in the dark. Learn about Stowe's interest in Spiritualism and the paranormal, and do some ghost hunting of your own with a K2 meter and Digital Voice Recorder. Offered on select dates in October at 7:30 p.m. Reservations required: info@stowecenter.org or 860-522-9258, ext. 317.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center is open year round Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.  Last tour steps off at 4 p.m.  Closed Tuesdays January through March and on January 1, Easter Sunday, July 4, Thanksgiving and December 24-25.  Open the following holiday Mondays: M.L. King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day. 

 

Please visit our website: HarrietBeecherStowe.org