Palmer-Warner House

06/01/2026

Attention followers! You may (or may not) be aware that the National Trust for Historic Preservation just released its annual 11 Most Endangered Historic Places list. No Connecticut locations are listed this year (phew), but we still have reason to be concerned.

The Stonewall National Monument (NYC), an integral piece in the story of modern LGBTQ+ rights in the United States and our first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ history and equality, is on the list, facing federal actions and policy changes that endanger the site’s historically accurate interpretation, community representation, and educational impact.

At Preservation Connecticut, we understand the importance of preserving LGBTQ+ historic places across the country and are committed to doing our part: the recently launched Connecticut LGBTQ+ Historic Places Project. This is the first comprehensive effort to identify, commemorate, and preserve historic sites associated with our state’s LGBTQ+ community.

We are excited to spearhead this project but can’t do it alone. Please show your support of our program and Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ community by attending “An Evening at the Palmer-Warner House,” a fundraiser to directly support this survey project, hosted at one of the survey sites. Event details are available on the PCT website: https://preservationct.org/palmer-warner.

The classic phrase, “It takes a village,” is applicable now more than ever. Please join us to both support our state-focused program AND to answer the call to arms needed to make sure all LGBTQ+ historic sites are accurately preserved and interpreted going forward.

For more information:

https://preservationct.org/lgbtq

https://savingplaces.org/stories/11-most-endangered-historic-places-2026

05/23/2026

At the Palmer-Warner House, our Progress Flag Field is a vibrant tribute to visibility, remembrance, and the ongoing work toward equality. Each flag represents the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and honors the countless individuals—past and present—whose lives and stories shape this history.

Historic sites are not only places to reflect on the past, but also spaces to engage with the evolving narratives that define our communities. By installing the Progress Flag Field on these grounds, we affirm that LGBTQ+ history is an essential part of the American story—one that deserves recognition, respect, and celebration.

You can be part of this powerful display. Purchase a Progress flag for $10 and add your voice to the field in support of Pride. Each flag can honor a loved one, uplift a message of hope, or simply stand as a statement of solidarity. Get your flag here: ctlandmarks.org/event/progress-flag-field.

05/15/2026

Preservation architect Frederic Palmer and his partner Howard Metzger sculpted the the grounds of the into a living work of art. From playful animal-shaped topiary to dramatic spiraling evergreens overlooking 50 acres of rolling fields, every view was carefully designed to evoke an 18th-century landscape with a distinctly modern flair.

After you wander the grounds, follow the short path out to the historic Warner Cemetery, where generations of the Warner family rest beneath beautifully carved 19th-century stones, connecting the landscape to the people who lived and labored here.Please help us keep this space peaceful by treading lightly and respecting the grave sites.

When weather permits, guided tours invite you to wander the grounds, explore the house, and reflect on this layered story of land, memory, and preservation in East Haddam. Plan your visit to the Palmer-Warner House and experience these sweeping views and the quiet Warner Cemetery for yourself.

05/08/2026

Opening Day is almost here… rain or shine! ☔️ Step into the story of Palmer-Warner House this Saturday, May 9, from 1–4 pm in East Haddam. Don’t let a little rain keep you away – the house is extra cozy on a gray New England afternoon. Tours start on the hour, the last tour leaves at 3pm.

Umbrellas welcome, stories guaranteed!☂️☔️🌧

04/29/2026

Frederic Palmer didn’t just restore an old house – he renamed it. He lovingly called the property Dunstaffnage, honoring his Scottish heritage and echoing the name of the storied Scottish castle on the coast near Oban

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿This Scottish American Heritage Month, we’re honoring Frederic Palmer’s Dunstaffnage vision and inviting you to explore how one man’s connection to Scotland helped create a home for both heritage and belonging in East Haddam.

We are open the second Saturday of the month May - October starting May 9.

To purchase 🎟 visit: https://ctlandmarks.org/properties/palmer-warner-house/ 🌟🏠🎉

04/23/2026

04/06/2026

🎉Celebrating Tartan Day and the lasting connections between Scottish heritage and our shared history.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Proud to honor the traditions, stories, and craftsmanship that continue to inspire today.✨️

03/31/2026

This Womens History Month, we honor Mary Brennan Palmer, affectionately known as MBP at the Palmer-Warner House, whose life of service reflects the courage and determination of women in the early 20th century.

In 1917, Mary volunteered with the American Red Cross, stepping into nursing when trained nurses were urgently needed to support the U.S. Army and Navy during World War I, caring for those facing battlefield injuries and the deadly 1918 influenza pandemic. It was demanding, often dangerous work, and women like Mary stood at the center of it using skill, discipline, and compassion to save lives when it mattered most.

MBP also earned her driver’s license at a time when relatively few women drove, embracing new independence and responsibility on the road as women increasingly used cars to claim mobility and autonomy. Her roles as nurse, driver, caregiver, and community member show why the Palmer-Warner team remembers her as a woman of courage and conviction, determined to live fully in a rapidly changing world.
This , we celebrate MBP and the many women like her who pushed past expectations to reshape their families, their communities, and our shared history.

03/26/2026

On March 26, 1949, the arrival of mild weather marked a day of quiet industry for Frederic Palmer and Howard Metzger. In his diary, Frederic noted fair skies and soft wind, perfect for tidying the garden and rolling the south lawn. With care, they spread grass fertilizer, uncovered the beds, and checked on young white pines just coming into growth. A trip to the dump and Moodus completed their errands before dinner and an evening by the fire in the hall. A fitting end to a day that reached a gentle sixty-four degrees, with a low of fifty-one.

As spring unfolds at the Palmer-Warner House today, we can still imagine those same simple pleasures: the scent of newly turned soil, the first green shoots, and the satisfaction of bringing a beloved landscape back to life after winter’s rest.

Diary transcription: "Fair very mild + soft. HA to Express Office. I cleaned garden with HA + rolled S. lawn. HA put out grass fertilizer. HA other uncovering + I took up some of baby-white [pines]. Both to dump + Moodus at 5. Got dinner+ evening Hall with fire. Max 64 min 51."
☀️

03/13/2026

As we prepare for LGBTQ+ Mental Health Awareness Week, March 16–20, we’re reminded that caring for our minds and hearts is just as vital as honoring our histories. At the , we recognize the importance of safe, affirming spaces, both in the stories we share and in the communities we nurture.

Sometimes, we all need a little help. If you or someone you know is seeking connection or support, please reach out to our friends at for compassionate, LGBTQ-affirming mental health services here in Connecticut. We also encourage you to connect with our friends at the Podcast for conversations, stories, and shared experiences that uplift q***r and trans voices across our region.

Together, we can build understanding, visibility, and hope. 💙💜💚