Some $500,000 later, the
South Parlor (in August 2002 - with the offending SUV) has been
restored....
HARTFORD, CONN. -- Antiquarian & Landmarks Society President
David Rhinelander announced that the Butler-McCook House &
Garden will reopen on May 18, following months of restoration and
renewal. Visitors will experience all but two of the rooms in the
house and the South Parlor and Library as restoration continues
through the summer.
Last August the Capitol City's oldest house was almost destroyed
by a devastating accident when an SUV jumped the curb at the
inter-section of Capital and Main and hit the house air born at
about 50 miles per hour. The driver was not seriously injured;
the museum, however, sustained about $500,000 in damages to the
building and collections. This came within weeks of the June 2002
reopening of the house after a four-year, $1.3 million
restoration and redevelopment effort.
The 1782 Butler-McCook House is Connecticut's premiere family
history time capsule and Hartford's oldest house. A&L had
also just opened the Main Street History Center -- an exhibition
and orientation center that has remained open since the accident.
The cost of restoration has been partially covered by a policy
with Chubb Insurance.
"Restoration on this scale is an extraordinary learning
experience for an organization like ours," reports A&L
Executive Director Bill Hosley. "Connecticut is home to a
remarkable community of building and object conservation
specialists. Paintings, furniture, upholstery, carpets, plaster,
wallpaper and woodwork all required highly specialized treatment
and care. It's astonishing given first appearances how much of
the collection will be saved. When the work is done most visitors
will hardly know the accident ever happened."
The reopening will also introduce a new interpretive plan for the
museum that will enable visitors to enjoy a guided tour and
orientation on the first floor and a self-guided experience of
the five rooms on the second floor. Hosley and Curator Beverly
Lucas will offer "An Insider's View" of the restorations at the
reopening celebration.
...to such a degree that A & L Executive Director Bill
Hosley predicts "most visitors will hardly know the accident
ever happened."
"Butler-McCook is one of the best-documented houses in America
and a time capsule of astonishing authenticity and character,"
maintains Hosley. "The McCooks were the quintessential Victorian
family whose sentimental affections and strongly developed
personalities are fully revealed by the house and its
furnishings," he adds. "It is easy to imagine that it's 1885, the
McCooks just walked out and you're invited for a look inside."
During June and July Butler-McCook will host several site-based
tours. On June 5, A&L horticulturalist Robin Zitter will
provide a garden tour. On Saturday, June 14, there will be a
walking tour "Discovering Hartford's Main Street." On July 12,
"Discovering Hartford's Urban Parks and Statuary" will be offered
The Butler-McCook House & Garden and the Main Street History
Center are at 396 Main Street. Free on-site parking at the 59
South Prospect Street entrance may be accessed via the Capitol
Area Exit (29A) off of I-91. The House is open year round
Wednesday--Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, and Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, and
till 8 pm the first Thursday of every month.
