The Huntington Homestead in Scotland, Connecticut, is the birthplace of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a distinguished statesman during the Revolutionary War and early Republic. The remarkably well-preserved site includes an eighteenth century house on its original foundation surrounded by acres of farmland, bordered by Merrick Brook. It includes old-growth trees, stone walls, an abandoned road, and other interesting features. The Huntington Homestead is a surprising discovery so late in the twentieth century, when most historic sites have already been enshrined or ravaged. It is a National Historic Landmark.
The Governor Samuel Huntington Trust, Inc. is the owner of the Huntington Homestead. The Kimball family, who had owned the property for 72 years, sold the historic farm to the Town of Scotland in 1994. The Town agreed to grant a two-year lease with an option to buy to interested local residents. Shortly thereafter, a grassroots effort to save the property for posterity was undertaken by dedicated volunteers who formed a nonprofit corporation named The Governor Samuel Huntington Trust. In July of 1996, the Trust purchased the property from the town and began its history as a museum organization.
Scotland, Connecticut is located in the heart of Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, an affiliate unit of the National Park Service. Connecticut Routes 14 and 97, both very scenic in character, transect Scotland. The Huntington Homestead is minutes from I-395 in Norwich, and lies within two hours of Boston and three hours of New York. Residents and tourists from New England and beyond will enjoy the surprise of discovery upon reaching the Huntington Homestead, a "best kept secret" in American history.
The house where Samuel Huntington was born and raised was built for his father, Nathaniel Huntington, about 1723. To recognize the 300th anniversary of what we now call the Huntington Homestead Museum, we will supplement our regular open house dates with special programs as follows:
July 15th at 1 p.m. — Presentation "How Nathaniel Came Upon This Land"
July 16th at 10 a.m. — Church service "We Bless This Homestead and the Farm Land That Sustained It"
August 19th at 1 p.m. — Architecture House Tour
September 16th — A Revolutionary War Encampment on the property, with a visit from Samuel Huntington and General George Washington
October 7th at 1 p.m. (tentatively) — In conjunction with the Last Green Valley's Walktober events, we'll sponsor a Scotland Town Center Walk
October 21st — We'll finish with the unveiling of our new Nancy Room exhibit
We'd like to thank our partners, CT Humanities, as well as the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut for the funding that will allow us to provide this quality programming. It also allows us to offer free admission to the museum for all of our programs in 2023.
The Huntington Homestead is open to visitors May through October on the first Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many of these dates have special programming.
The worthy goals of the Trust can only be met through broad membership in the organization. Our Membership Application describes the special benefits you will receive by joining the Trust.
You can purchase items from the Museum Store and have them mailed to you. All sales benefit the Trust.
The Huntington Homestead is owned and operated by the Governor Samuel Huntington Trust, Inc., P.O. Box 231, Scotland, CT 06264. A non-profit corporation formed in 1994, the Trust is authorized by the IRS to receive tax-exempt contributions. This site has been made possible by a grant from the Connecticut Society of the Cincinnati.
