Historic Preservation at Wethersfield
A Renaissance
Wethersfield’s values today continue to be driven by the remarkable, enduring vision of its founder, Chauncey Devereux Stillman, a true renaissance man whose vision was shaped by the best of classical minds. He approached nature, conservation and beauty in ways that combined classical inspiration with the humanist ideals of the Italian Renaissance. Taken together, this informed Mr. Stillman’s vision of bringing nature, conservation, wildlife habitat, horticulture, architecture and the arts together in one place – Wethersfield Estate & Garden.
Mr. Stillman shaped not only a landscape, but the poetics of human experience within it. Here, the sweep of meadows, formal and wilderness gardens, ponds throughout, trails/bridle paths — adorned with statuary and alive with wildlife — are not random arrangements, but an ordered expression of memory and meaning. He understood that in contemplating beauty in nature, the human spirit is lifted to its highest measure. For this reason, historic preservation now underway is more than maintenance of land and stone — it is the safeguarding of a living work of art that continues to inspire, move, and ennoble all who walk its paths.
While much has been achieved, much more remains to be done. We are filled with pride and urgency. More historic preservation work is required to address decades of deferred maintenance, be it for historic buildings such as Wethersfield House and the Carriage House Museum, aging infrastructure, and planning for more modern, efficient technologies to enable the use of the premises more fully. Wethersfield remains committed to best-in-class cultural arts programming that engages, enriches, and inspires all who visit.