harriet beecher stowe center

Enjoyed the guided tour of the HBS house. Like the hands on stuff too.The guide was quite knowledgeable and was able to answer all our questions, regarding Harriet, her father, family, time in Litchfield and attending Sarah Pierce's Litchfield Female Academy.The gift shop had some pretty interesting history factoids too.Worth the visit.

This is a turn-of-the-century home in Hartford, right next to Mark Twain's historic home. The home itself really isn't much to speak of, although some of the art and the photographs are noteworthy. Visiting this home is important because the tour guides help visitors appreciate the incredible historical changes that Harriet Beecher Stowe helped to motivate both with her writing and her activism. Not only did her earth-shaking book "Uncle Tom's Cabin," galvanize the abolitionist movement, ultimately leading to the civil war and the end of slavery in the U.S., but Mrs. Stowe was active in other great causes. She personally educated former slaves and advocated for women's suffrage. Not only that--she came from a very influential family--it seems that every one of her brothers and sisters made a significant impact upon society.

First i would say come here before visiting mark twain house. the house itself was not as beautiful as the mark twain house. very interesting that the two lived next to each other. However, interesting connecticut history, that the residents of Nook Farm, where these two houses resided, were made up of mostly of activist. Incredibly influential women, wish i had more time to learn more about her, while i was there. I went when it was free for hartford residents, and was short on time so i ran about the house in 30 minutes or so. I dont think you can spend more than an hour there. Also did not spend time in the visit center.

This tour of the Harriet Beecher Stowe house was phenomenal. For instance, I didn't know that she wrote 30 books, and never considered Uncle Tom's Cabin to be the best. I didn't know that Mark Twain purposely moved next door to her because of his friendship with her. I didn't know that she had 7 children, and 4 died before she died. And, did you know that she started a school for African-American and mixed-race children in Jacksonville, FLA when she was well into her senior years? A true humanitarian. Our docent, Sophie, was outstanding. She made the tour very interactive and hands-on. She brought out tidbits of information about the time period and the Civil War that were fascinating. Well worth the tour. You won't regret it.

While I was visiting the Mark Twain House I noticed that Harriet Beecher Stowe's home was right there as well. It is a quaint, charming home with the desk that she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin right there as well as other furnishings that are worth seeing.

She resided besides Mark Twain ,for over 10 yes,we did the combine tour of both homes, the comparison, between their lives we're obvious,but both tours told of their lives families, tragedies and works.worth a vist

We toured both Mrs. Stowe's and Mr. Twain's house. They are across from each other. Both of our guides did a great job and were very knowledgeable. We learned a lot and got to see some fabulous houses.

We went here to see Mark Twain's house only to discover that Harriet Beecher Stowe lived next door and there was a combo tour which we took. Unlike the Mark Twain house you are allowed to take no-flash photos in Harriet Beecher Stowe's home. The details are exquisite even the kitchen gives you a feel to what life must have been like back in the days of Harriet Beecher Stowe's era. If you tour one home it only makes sense to tour the other too. Both are about 90 minutes total.

For lovers of Victorian architecture and decoration, this house is a perfect fit. Add a little lady who is credited for the start of the Civil War and this house becomes even more significant. It is surrounded with a beautiful, well kept cottage garden. Just the sort of destination all high school students should see, as it brings to life a very trouble time in our country's history and deals with a very difficult subject - the enslavement of an entire race of man. Ms. Stowe's place in our literary history, makes the house even more important.

Took the combo tour with the Twain house, and after a great tour there with an on-point tour-guide, this was a bit of a letdown. The guide remarked several times that they were in the process of "revamping" the tour to make it more "interactive." Then there were a couple awkward points where we sat in rooms (parlor and kitchen) to discuss Stowe's importance. After the tour, we stopped in their visitor center and watched the film - that pointed out interesting pictures and objects that would have been nice to know of during the actual tour. (Visited 10/21 after the 12:30 Twain house tour)

We visited this attraction together with our visit to the Mark Twain House. Although aware of Harriet Beecher Stowe it is only after our visit to both Litchfield and this house that I fully realised exactly who she was and what she had achieved. A lovely visit led by an excellent guide who really knew her stuff.

Insightful Tour and lovely house. I'm so glad we did this extension of the Mark Twain tour. Harriet Beecher was catalyst in many of the early starts of the slaves rights. I enjoyed seeing the history and learning more of her life work and purpose. Wonderful tour and stunning grounds.

Beautiful home and lovely architecture. We learned so much about this remarkable woman. We particularly enjoyed the bookstore and the garden. Thanks for a pleasant end to our Hartford visit.

Seeing Stowe's home and learning more about her life is such an inspiration, even today. This is the house she moved into about 10 years after the publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." I gained insights into her family, neighbors (Mark Twain, Gillette family, Charles Dudley Warner), and her literary career that included more than 30 books. Would like to give it an "excellent" rating, but one part of the tour bothered me. We were asked to sit in the parlor and reflect on pictures/literature of the period and to "share our insights." This is something geared for the kids, and as such should have been done at the center, not on the tour. Demeaning to adults who have already studied this time period and did not expect for the tour of an historic home to turn into a classroom setting. Regardless, the docent was extremely polite and very knowledgeable. Many rooms have lots of original pieces of furniture, pictures, and personal items of the Stowe family. One staircase to rooms on second floor.

I learned many things about Harriet Beecher Stowe that I hadn't known before. Wonderful tour and everyone is professional and knowledgeable. We felt welcomed. Delightful and eye opening. While you are there don't forget to check out the Mark Twain House!