In 1917, Theodate built a theater on the property, furnished it, and showed movies on a silver screen. After a fire in 1908, she rebuilt the destroyed buildings. In 1904, she added another library, and a study for her father. In 1902, Theodate added the Mount Vernon inspired veranda, a greenhouse and garage. Her parents moved in on June 16th, 1901, to enjoy the beauty of this property, that included the main New England country estate home, the farmhouse, shepherd’s cottage, stables and garages, hay and dairy barns, pump house, sunken garden, wild garden, vegetable garden, tennis courts, six-hole golf grounds, orchards, meadows and woodlands. This whole undertaking was funded by her father, Alfred Pope, who commissioned his daughter to build this parental retirement home, that she would inherit. Theodate eventually lived at Hill-Stead as well with her foster boys and husband. Using working drawings by Edgerton Swartout of McKim, Mead & White, and being inspired by the Colonial Revival Movement and by the scientific farming methods, she created an expansive, property, where her parents spent the rest of their lives. There are many programs offered here – From gardening for all ages, to programs that explore various areas of interest.įrom 1899-1901, up and coming architect, 30 year old Theodate Pope, designed and built this huge, then 250 acre country estate, that included a mansion, support buildings, and working farm, as well as acres of gardens, and other features. One can see why.Ĭommunity organizations and classes hold their meetings here. The community of Farmington didn’t forget, and has long been involved in the support of Hill-Stead House and Museum. Hill-Stead had the advantage of having only one family live here, who gave a lot to the surrounding community. The grounds originally were 250 acres, but it is phenomenal that there are still 152 acres part of the Hill-Stead House and Museum. Theodate was wise in hiring Manning to design the grounds. Vanderbilt’s Biltmore estate in North Carolina. The landscaping is quite impressive, thanks to Warren Manning, who had also designed George W. The expansive gardens that are truly lovely are also open for walks and activities. Visitors should enjoy this peek at the artifacts of the Pope family and Theodate and her husband, especially Theodate’s grand collection of books on the paranormal and Spiritualism. Tours are given of the Pope-Riddle Home, where the tourist can admire the elegant decor and the Family’s’ collections of French Impressionist Paintings, furnishings and “decorative arts”. This country estate home has been beautifully restored, and kept in good shape.

Clearly it was the floor plan that determined the exterior frame the rooms were not stuffed into a preconceived format.”

Yet a charming sense of rambling informality was gained, the effect being quite unlike that of the more symmetrically planned houses by McKim, Mead & White. That Theodate pushed the left or northwest wing forward to give ample space to her father’s office and recessed the right or southwest wing, which contained the ell continuation of the living room, negated the frontal symmetry that the house might otherwise have had. Two dormers again pierce the long overhanging roofs of each porch. Two dormers, each backed by a chimney, light the attic. The main block is flanked by two wings with porches, effectively concealing the service rooms and barn area behind. “The facade imposes a sense of authority with its centered porch. Sharon Dunlap Smith, in her book, Theodate Pope Riddle: Her Life and Architecture (Chapter 4), gives a great sketch of the home itself, built up the knoll, not far from Theodate’s own home, on High St. What a beautiful,Colonial Revival-style, well-designed, expansive mansion, with the classic veranda, complete with columns, over-looking green fields the nearby river, and a glorious view of Farmington Valley. WOW! Tom and I were quite impressed to find this grand estate on Mountain Road. Hill-Stead is described on their web-site as being a 152-acre, 10-building museum and a National Historic Landmark. Perhaps family members are keeping her company as well. Perhaps the original lady of the estate is residing and pleased with all the activity.

Hill high farm haunted nightmares