Hicks-Stearns Family Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1978 (house built in 1788) |
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| Location | 42 Tolland Green Tolland, Connecticut 06084 USA |
| Type | Historic house museum |
| Collections | Family heirlooms |
The Hicks-Stearns Family Museum is a cool old house in Tolland, Connecticut. It's a historic house museum, which means it's set up to show you what life was like in the past. The house was built way back in 1788. It started as a tavern, a place where people could eat, drink, and stay the night. Later, the Hicks family lived here for many years, from 1845 until 1970.
Today, the Hicks-Stearns Family Museum is one of Tolland's most important landmarks. It stands alongside the Old Tolland County Jail and Museum, the Tolland County Courthouse, and the Daniel Benton Homestead.
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Exploring the Hicks-Stearns Museum House
The Hicks-Stearns family house is a special mix of old styles. It has a kitchen from the colonial era, which was a very early time in American history. But it also has a parlor and furniture from the Victorian era, a later period known for its fancy designs.
Inside the museum, you can see many interesting things. There are family heirlooms, which are special items passed down through generations. You might also spot unique cloth tea balls, an old Victrola (a type of record player), and furniture that looks like bamboo.
The house's first owner was Benoni Shepard. He was a deacon in the Congregational church and Tolland's very first postmaster.
The museum is a busy place! It offers tours where you can learn about the house's history. They also host concerts and fun holiday programs. You can visit from May through December.
The Hicks Family Story
The Hicks family lived in this house for a long time. One of the most famous people to live here was Ratcliffe Hicks (1843-1906). He was the oldest son of Charles Hicks, a successful businessman from Providence, Rhode Island. Ratcliffe was a very smart and successful person himself.
Ratcliffe Hicks: A Man of Many Talents
Ratcliffe Hicks went to Brown University and graduated in 1864. He became a successful lawyer and also a leader in industry. He was even the president of the Canfield Rubber Works in Bridgeport. Ratcliffe also served as a state legislator in Connecticut, helping to make laws for the state.
When Ratcliffe lived in the house, he made many changes. He added Victorian-style elements to make it more modern for his time. He put on a front porch and a unique three-story tower. These additions gave the house its special look.
Ratcliffe Hicks cared a lot about education. When he passed away in 1906, his will set up a special fund. This fund was used to start a school for agriculture (farming) and forestry (managing forests) in Connecticut. The school opened in 1941 and became part of the University of Connecticut. Today, the UConn has the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture and the Ratcliffe Hicks Building & Arena, both named after him.
Elizabeth Hicks: Artist and Philanthropist
Ratcliffe Hicks had a daughter named Elizabeth Hicks (1884-1974). She was a talented painter and also a philanthropist, meaning she gave a lot of her time and money to help others. In 1951, UConn named the Elizabeth Hicks Residence Hall, a women's dormitory, after her.
Elizabeth Hicks played a key role in the house becoming a museum. She decided in her will that the Tolland family home should go to a special nonprofit group. Her wish was for the house to be turned into a museum, so everyone could learn about its history.
