Museum is oldest house in Connecticut & oldest stone house in New England. In addition to showcasing colonial life, an introductory exhibit interprets the early historic preservation movement.

Visitors may tour three buildings on the site. At the Visitor Center, you can pick up travel information in the lobby, browse through the gift shop, view changing exhibits in two galleries, or use the research library. In the Whitfield House, you can take a self-guided tour through three floors filled with 17th-19th century furnishings and artifacts. The introductory exhibit, The Old Stone House, details the house's history, and museum staff is available to answer questions. Educational game sheets are offered to children (but they're so interesting that many adults take them through the museum as well!). The Education building offers other hands-on activities and historical exhibits. A stroll around the landscaped grounds, featuring extensive stonewalls, a bronze statue representing Henry Whitfield, and a ship’s cannon from the War of 1812, completes the tour. Please allow approximately one hour for your visit.

State began negotiations to purchase house in 1899; museum opened to the public in 1904.