Museum Art Excursion to the Hill-Stead Museum
June 2, 2019 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Inspired by Dearest of Geniuses: A Life of Theodate Pope Riddle by Sandra Katz, the May book selection for the Museum’s Read/Eat/Chat book group, we’re going on a Museum Art Excursion day trip! Join us as we travel to Farmington, Connecticut to visit Hill-Stead, the grand New England country and Colonial Revival-inspired home and lush gardens designed by Theodate Pope Riddle for her family.
Theodate Pope Riddle (1867-1946) was an accomplished architect, member of the American Institute of Architects, maintained a successful working farm, and was the foster mother to two young orphaned boys. Along with Hill-Stead, all but one of Theodate’s buildings still stand today – an enduring testimony to one of this country’s earliest important women architects. Since her death, Hill-Stead and its contents have remained intact as a museum, and include one of the most significant collections of Impressionist masterpieces in the US, including works by Monet, Degas, Manet, Whistler and Cassatt. Hill-Stead is surrounded by thoughtfully designed grounds, including the Sunken Garden designed by Beatrix Farrand (1872-1959), one of the first female landscape designers.
Our day will begin with a docent-led tour of the Hill-Stead Museum, followed by a self-guided tour of the grounds, gardens and walking paths. Special guest Sandra Katz, the author of Dearest of Geniuses will join us for a talk about Theodate Pope Riddle’s work and career, followed by a fresh catered box lunch on the Hill-Stead’s outdoor patio. We’ll end the day with a walking tour of the Avon Old Farms Boys School campus in nearby Avon, an important architectural project that was significant both professionally and personally for Riddle.
Sunday, June 2, 2019 Itinerary:
8am Depart from the Newport Art Museum on a mini coach bus10:30am Docent Led Tour of the Hill-Stead Museum, followed by self – guided walking tour of the Gardens12:30pm Catered box lunch on the open porch and discussion with author Sandra Katz2:30pm Avon Old Farms School campus self – guided walking tour
5-6pm Arrive back at Newport Art Museum
Space for this special Museum trip is limited! Reserve today!
This event is sold out. To add your name to our waitlist, please email Director of Community Engagement Cristin Searles Bilodeau at csearles@newportartmuseum.org.
This trip is inspired by Dearest of Geniuses: A Life of Theodate Pope Riddle by Sandra Katz, the May book selection for the Museum's Read/Eat/Chat book group. Book selections are art or Newport-themed, and the group meetings once a month at the Museum.