Welles-Shipman-Ward House

Welles-Shipman-Ward House One of Glastonbury’s Best Kept Secrets -Take a step back in time as you tour a Connecticut River Valley Mansion built in 1755. William Pitkin III. in 1789.

This mansion house, as it was known in the 18th century, is traditionally believed to have been built by Col. Thomas Welles as a gift to his son, John, on the occasion of his marriage in 1753 to Jerusha Edwards of Hartford, a niece of Gov. John Welles owned the John Welles and Co. shipyard and merchant trading business located on the Connecticut River in the Nayaug section of Glastonbury. In 1764,

Welles became ill on a trip to Philadelphia and died, 34 years old, leaving his widow, Jerusha, and 5 children. Among her dower rights, she received land and a share of household furnishings, including a silver tankard valued at £9. George Welles, second son of John and Jerusha, inherited the property and sold the “house, barn, cowhouse, and other buildings”, plus the remaining 1 1/3 acre of the homelot, to Stephen Shipman, Jr. Shipman, a shipbuilder, merchant trader, and storeowner, added neoclassical features to the house, such as the Palladian type crown moldings on the first floor, popular among the merchant elites in the Connecticut River Valley. The Shipman family owned and occupied the house for over 125 years. In 1929, Mrs. Berdena Hart Ward, wife of Dr. James Ward, purchased the property, decorating and furnishing the house in an English country style. Today, this House is in the care of the Historical Society of Glastonbury. The Glastonbury Garden Club tends the Colonial Revival herb garden. The Glastonbury Weavers turn out textiles on our 300 year old loom. Young children play 18th century games on the lawn. Young people participate in archaeological digs to find what has been left behind by past residents. Our kitchen fireplace turns out meals made to “receipts” of past families. Our barns are filled with antique farming equipment and horse-drawn vehicles. One of Glastonbury’s Best Kept Secrets

Take a step back in time as you tour a Connecticut River Valley Mansion built in 1755. Every Tuesday, throughout the summer months, from 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m., the Historical Society of Glastonbury invites you to tour the historic Welles-Shipman-Ward House at 972 Main Street, South Glastonbury. As a guest, you’ll be greeted by a costumed docent and given a tour of what was considered a mansion in its day. The house originally owned by John Welles, a Glastonbury Shipyard owner, features the largest known period kitchen fire place in Connecticut, gorgeous unique antiques including one of two High Back Queen Anne Corner Chairs known to exist, a loom, weaving and spinning equipment. You’ll walk thru the kitchen garden in the backyard on your way to tour the white and red barns from the 1800’s and the 200 year old English style bank barn. Inside the barn you’ll find an array or treasures and tools including several horse drawn buggy’s and wagons, including an R.F.D. postal wagon that was used in South Glastonbury, a Buckingham Cemetery hearse, a meat wagon, and sleigh. The Welles-Shipman-Ward house awaits your arrival.

09/03/2024

Tomorrow we're accepting donations!

Historical Society of Glastonbury
Welles-Shipman-Ward House

Thanks to all who made the march to Militia Day!Ori Faulkner had a great time playing with the colonial toys!Gabriel Cru...
04/22/2024

Thanks to all who made the march to Militia Day!

Ori Faulkner had a great time playing with the colonial toys!
Gabriel Cruz made a grand entrance in a suit fit for the occasion, this young man showed quite the interest!! Hopefully we can recruit him when he gets a bit bigger!

The troops were well fed. The kitchen fire was burning and the oven was hot!

02/13/2024

What could be better today than curling up with a good book next to the fire?

The fire is crackling. Come join us today from 12-3pm at the Welles-Shipman-Ward property in South Glastonbury to samp...
11/19/2023

The fire is crackling. Come join us today from 12-3pm at the Welles-Shipman-Ward property in South Glastonbury to sample some Marlborough Pudding and celebrate a colonial Thanksgiving !

$10 admission for those over 10 years old

Two days and counting! This Rain or Shine event is held in 3 barns and multiple tents with everything from new/never-use...
09/27/2023

Two days and counting! This Rain or Shine event is held in 3 barns and multiple tents with everything from new/never-used items to antiques, toys, tools, rugs, books, music/vinyl, the list is too long. Come and see and spread the word. Cash, Venmo and credit card. :)

09/26/2023
While you are waiting for THE HSG TAG SALE to open its doors on Friday morning at the Welles-Shipman-Ward property in So...
09/26/2023

While you are waiting for THE HSG TAG SALE to open its doors on Friday morning at the Welles-Shipman-Ward property in South Glastonbury, please enjoy this NBC30 story about our very famous Glawackus legend…..

Hartford Athletic might not be having a fairytale season, but one of the newest additions to the club is straight out of a storybook.

It’s a beautiful day. Come join us from 1pm to 4pm for Harvest Time at the Welles-Shipman-Ward property - fun for the ...
09/17/2023

It’s a beautiful day. Come join us from 1pm to 4pm for Harvest Time at the Welles-Shipman-Ward property - fun for the whole family!!!!

Our dedicated volunteers are ready to spend the morning of Labor Day accepting your donations for our Tag Sale! We wi...
09/03/2023

Our dedicated volunteers are ready to spend the morning of Labor Day accepting your donations for our Tag Sale! We will be at the To***co Shed at Welles-Shipman-Ward property from 8-noon !!

The Tag Sale by HSG

We start accepting donations, every Monday, 8 to noon, 972 Main Street, Glastonbury. (Welles-Shipman-Ward property)Old,...
07/28/2023

We start accepting donations, every Monday, 8 to noon, 972 Main Street, Glastonbury. (Welles-Shipman-Ward property)

Old, new, whatever. Call first about furniture and large items. (860)633-6890. Let the fun begin!

Follow our Tag sale page for more info!
The Tag Sale by HSG

Address

972 Main Street
South Glastonbury, CT
06073

Opening Hours

1pm - 4pm

Telephone

+18606336890

Website

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