Last updated: 7/21/2023
2351 Durham Rd
Guilford, CT 06437
2351 Durham Road
Guilford, CT 06437
Thursday - Saturday
10 AM - 2 PM
Special hours or group tours by arrangement.
Call 203–457–0770 or email director@dudleyfarm.com to set up a time.
Free. A $5 Donations Requested
The Dudley Foundation welcomes you to The Dudley Farm Museum in North Guilford, Connecticut where many of the barns, outbuildings, pastures, and woods have changed little over the last 200 years. The buildings and landscapes of today's museum serve to illustrate the farm's late 19th century activities: dairying, maple syrup production, timbering, and the planting of needed crops as well as the production of apples, ice, flowers, eggs, and charcoal for sale.
While Guilford's very rich 17th- and 18th- century heritage is reflected in the town's other history museums, the Dudley Farm offers a view of agricultural life separate from the hustle and bustle of the main village. This view gives the visitor insight into New England farm life from 1870 to 1910, offering a unique perspective unlike other museums in the area.
The Dudley Foundation will provide leadership to the greater community in the promotion of historic awareness and interpretation of the history of the North Guilford community.
The Dudley Foundation aspires to consistently enact the following core values:
Intellectual honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct
Cultural humility, respecting the validity of different perspectives
Program quality and excellence
Innovation and leadership
Being a good neighbor
Dedication to sustainable development
Home to the Dudley family for over 200 years, the Dudley Farm Museum, established in 1994, is dedicated to preserving Southern New England's agricultural heritage for the future. Set on ten scenic acres of pasture and rolling hills, visitors are immersed into the world of a late 19th century family farm.
Visit the Big Barn, an English Bank Barn, listed on the State Register of Historic Places. From the Ice House, Blacksmith shop and Milk House to the gardens, orchard and pasture, visitors will learn about the self-sufficiency and sustainability of life on the Dudley Farm.
The Dudley Farm Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The farmhouse is fully furnished to reflect 1870-1910; The barns include tools and equipment used on the farm during the late 19th century and our housed in one of the many buildings: tool barn, blacksmith shop; milkhouse; granary; dairy barn, and laundry area.
Considerable information about the Dudley Family is available, beginning with first settlers in 1639. The local library (Guilford Free Library) has an additional information about the area and the families who lived - and live - there.
The Museum offers workshops on a variety of 19th century skills, including rug hooking; rug braiding; basket making, and others as interest is expressed. Lectures on a variety of topics are offered, and may include: Women's Clothing in the 19th century; 19th century patent medicines of New England; ice harvesting and storage; the temperance movement, and others
The Munger Barn is able to provide seating for 80 persons to attend any programs. Catering facilities are available, and the venue is available for rental.
The Dudley Farm Museum is owned and operated by The Dudley Foundation, Inc, a 501 (c) 3 entity registered in the state of Connecticut. A Board of Directors oversees all aspects.
Access: General Public
Appointment required: Yes
Our Farm News Newsletter is published 3 times a year for members. Usually 20 pages in length, it contains historical items of interest to its readers. Dudley Farm Doings is an electronic mailing to friends and members of the Museum to keep them current on happenings. It is published approximately every 3 weeks. The Annual report is made available to all in October on our website.
Farm News - three times/year
Dudley Farm Doings - approx every 3 weeks; electronic
Annual Report
A weekly Farmers' Market - the second oldest continuously run market in the state.
An 1890 country barn venue which may be rented for family and corporate occasions.
Community garden plots which may be rented annually.
The newly erected Quinnipiac Dawnland Museum, which celebrates Guilford's indigenous people.
Workshops offered to the public include such 19th century skills as basket making, rug hooking, and rug braiding, as well as a weekly fabric skills ("Makers Monday") program. A group of dedicated volunteers create and sell hand-crafted items in our Gift Shop, with proceeds going to Dudley Foundation.
Early spring provides the public opportunities to learn about maple sugaring in the 19th century, and to experience a wildflower walk in the adjoining woods.
A community tag sale is another yearly event at the farm, as is the free, family-friendly Harvest Day each October, which includes many hands-on activities.
Both photographers and plein air artists enjoy the surrounding grounds, as heritage chickens cluck in the hen house, and sheep graze in the field.
Using storytelling techniques and hands-on experiences, our trained docents provide insight into the North Guilford Dudley family, Dudleyville, the many local Dudley relatives, and their neighbors.
Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
As a 19th century farm the landscape is uneven. There is parking (free) and wheelchair accessible restrooms are available.
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
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