Carriage House Tours
Wethersfield Estate & Garden is closed for the season. Carriage House tours will resume in the Spring of 2026.
Carriage House tours are available at 2pm on May 29th, June 26th, July 10th, August 15th, September 11th, and October 9th.
Tours are led by Sem Groenewoud—a former World Champion Carriage Driver and once a driver for the Rockefeller family.
At Wethersfield, carriages were never merely displayed — they were an essential part of daily life on a working estate shaped by Chauncey D. Stillman beginning in the late 1930s. A passionate sportsman and preservationist, Stillman championed the elegant Hackney horse and competed widely from 1960 to 1976 at prestigious venues such as the Royal Winter Fair and the Devon Horse Show. He also assembled and meticulously restored a distinguished collection of sporting and formal carriages, including rare examples by Brewster & Company and Barker & Company, ensuring they were not only preserved but driven regularly along nearly twenty miles of estate carriage roads. From grand public occasions to relaxed afternoon drives, these carriages carried guests, neighbors, and dignitaries alike. Today, Wethersfield’s carriage collection remains a living testament to craftsmanship, horsemanship, and a graceful way of life — and carriage house tours offer a unique opportunity to experience this remarkable legacy firsthand.
Admission is $15 per person. Carriage House Tour Reservations are required, and space is limited. Each tour can accommodate up to 12 people.
About the Carriage House
The Carriage House Museum houses 22 antique carriages in a hall. Each of these carriages is meticulously maintained for those who wish to learn more about the history of the sport of carriage driving and the role of the Four-in-Hand Club.
Historical photographs line the walls and give context to the history of equestrian culture at Wethersfield. They also document the appreciation for these carriages by those renowned in the public eye, such as HRH the late Duke of Edinburgh. This hall is now also used as a performance space for musicians and thespians with singular acoustics.
Know Before You Go
Parking
Parking for Carriage House is in the paddock accross the street from the building. Enter through the white door.
Restrooms
There are public restrooms located inside the Carriage House for your convenience.
Photography Policy
Photography is welcome at Wethersfield, but please refrain from using flash to protect our collections and artwork.
No Food & Drink
We respectfully ask that no food or drink be brought into the house.
What You Will See
The Carriage House was the first building completed on the Wethersfield Estate, in 1938, initially as a stable for fox-hunting. It later evolved to include Mr. Stillman’s passion for the Four-in-Hand carriage driving sport. Today, the carriage house comprises twenty one extraordinary antique carriages, including family sleighs, a paneled harness room, replete with trophies and ribbons earned by Mr. Stillman at competitions worldwide. Mr. Stillman’s driving breed of choice was the Hackney Horse, known for its elegant, high step.
Additional Help
Please let us know if any member of your party needs assistance, and we will make every effort to accommodate. Please email info@wethersfield.org.