Historical Society Preparing 14th Annual House And Garden Tour

The public is invited to explore nine exceptional properties that have been selected for Newtown Historical Society’s 14th Annual House and Garden Tour. This year’s event returns on Saturday, July 18, from 11 am to 5 pm.

Reflecting the history of Newtown, the tour features four houses, one from each century since the town’s incorporation, and their gardens. There is a 1731 home of a noted Connecticut antiques dealer and the 1802 colonial home of an art dealer who specializes in antique prints and maps, both of which are beautifully decorated examples of historic homes which continue to house families.

Also on the tour is a 1968 contemporary home contains the unusual collections of the owner, a painter and art and antiques dealer.  Built in 2004, a traditionally designed home and B&B blends perfectly into its historic Main Street neighborhood.

The tour also showcases four unique gardens, ranging from a one acre sun-filled perennial garden designed to encourage birds and wildlife, to a 48 acre property that includes meadows, woodlands and gardens and an antique French stone gazebo.

The varied gardens and sweeping lawns surrounding an 1830 Greek Revival home and barns contrast beautifully with a remarkable 26 acre property, recently featured in Horticulture for the owner’s innovative lawn elimination strategy, which includes a rock garden, formal garden, woodlands and meadows.

The work of 12 Newtown artists will be displayed in a picturesque Main Street barn surrounded by gardens.

The self-guided tour will take place rain or shine. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the tour. Send checks to Newtown Historical Society House Tour, PO Box 189, Newtown CT 06470, before July 10. Please include name, address and a telephone number for confirmation

Tickets are limited to prevent overcrowding and may be purchased at the circulation desk of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street; Drug Center Pharmacy, 61 Church Hill Road; The Red Garage, 78 South Main Street; and The UPS Store, 261 South Main Street.

On the day of the tour any remaining tickets will be sold only at the Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main Street, from 10 am to 1 pm.

Proceeds from this event benefit Newtown Historical Society and are used to maintain the Matthew Curtiss House Museum and to support the educational programs of the society. Additional information is available at NewtownHistory.org or 426-5937.­