Holiday Home Tours of Notable New Englanders Such as Mark Twain and Nathan Hale

Connecticut was the home of several historical figures such as author Mark Twain, Revolutionary war hero, Nathan Hale, and theologian, Jonathan Edwards. If you're planning to visit Connecticut during the holidays, make sure to tour some of the old historical homesteads in the area.

The upcoming holidays are an excellent time to tour these old historical homes. As most outdoor events have closed for the winter, touring historic homes is a favorite pastime for both residents and tourists. Here are a few of some of the most notable historical homes in a state where homes date back as far as the 16^th century.....

Wethersfield---Connecticut's Largest Historic District
Wethersfield is home to the largest Historic District in the state, where you'll find 50 houses, all constructed before the Revolutionary War. Another 100 were built by the Civil War, and an additional 10 homes were built shortly later. .

Visiting historic Wethersfield is like entering a time machine to another place and time. The Wethersfield Museum, at 200 Main Street, is a good spot to begin your tour where you'll get an idea of what it was like to live in 18^th century Wethersfield, as well as relive history. Holiday historic house tours begin December 1^st and continue through December 23^rd from 10 AM- 4 PM.

Webb-Dean-Stevens Museum---At the Webb-Dean-Stevens Museum, you can see where George Washington slept, as well as other historical memorabilia.

Joseph Webb House-Built in 1752 by Joseph Webb, a successful Connecticut merchant, the house is a 3 ½ story home which was reportedly was used to house enslaved Africans. The upper floor was used to store Mr. Webb's trade goods. An authentic portrayal of a home during the time of the Revolution, the Joseph Webb House takes you back to the mid-1700s when our country was fighting for her freedom from England.

The Isaac Stevens House---Home to Issac Stevens, this historical home shows how Christmas was celebrated in the 1820s. Stevens was a leatherworker who bought ½ acre of land in 1786 on what is now Main Street. The Issace Stevens House is typpical of homes of the late 18^th century in Connecticut, the rooms representing middle class family life in the early 19^th century. Visitors can note the influence of changing décor following the Industrical Revolution.

Hurlbut-Dunham House-Rich in early 1920s features, the Hurlbut-Durham House was home to Howard and Jane Dunham, a well-known Hartford couple. The home features original Rococo Revival wallpapers, as well as painted ceilings and furnishings of the Dunhams, portraying life in the early 20^th century.

Hartford Historical Homestead---The Mark Twain House
Located in downtown Hartford, the Mark Twain House Hartford is the site where author Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) both worked and raised his family during the period of 1874-1891. The 19-room historical mansion gives tourists a depiction of life during the Gilded Age. It was here that Mark Twain penned his three most popular novels---"The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court."

Coventry Historical Homestead---Nathan Hale Homestead
Located at 2299 South Street in Coventry, the Nathan Hale Homestead presents an excellent view of life during the Revolutionary War period. Planted on 12 acres, the Nathan Hale Homestead presents an authentic picture or the agricultural way of life in Connecticut during the late 18^th century.

On display are Nathan Hale's original family bible and fowling gun. Besides tours of the house and property, the site also offers heirloom "vegetable and herb" tours, as well as a gift shop housed inside an 18^th century barn.

South Windsor Historical Homestead---Birthplace of Jonathan Edwards
A former South Windsor, Connecticut resident, I remember how I used to drive past the birthplace of the great theologian, Jonathan Edwards, on Main Street and was amazed not only that this famed evangelist grew up in my town, but also that his home was still intact after so many years. Edwards was born in late 1703 in what was then called East Windsor (but today is South Windsor.)

These are just a few of the historical homestead you can find when you visit Connecticut. With some online research, you can find other homes of famous New Englanders. Visiting these historic homes, you're sure to gain a valuable perspective on everyday life in early Connecticut centuries ago.