Topsmead Cottage Tours Are BACK for the Season
Free tours of Miss Edith Morton Chase’s historic Tudor style cottage at Topsmead State Forest are offered from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second and fourth weekends of each month from mid-June through mid-October.
Starting this weekend (June 13 & 14), step back in time and explore the stunning 1925 Cotswold-style summer home of Edith Morton Chase. Thanks to the CT DEEP seasonal employees and the Friends of Topsmead State Forest, free guided tours are returning on the second and fourth weekends of each month (June through October 11th).
What’s New This Year?The cottage is opening and closing an hour earlier to better fit your weekend plans!
New Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tour Info: Tours run on the hour and half-hour. No reservations required! Group sizes are limited to 8 people (just meet your guide at the front door).
While You Wait…Take a stroll through the gardens originally designed for Miss Chase by Ellen Shipman—one of America’s pioneer female landscape designers (famous for the Sarah P. Duke gardens).
A Quick Slice of History:In 1917, Edith Morton Chase received this beautiful land on Jefferson Hill from her father, the first president of Chase Brass & Copper Company. She built this English Tudor masterpiece, designed by noted architect Richard Henry Dana, Jr., featuring gorgeous cypress exterior, copper downspouts, and crafted oak interiors.
Know Before You Go:Accessibility: Please note the historic house is not wheelchair-accessible and tours require climbing stairs.
The Grounds: Topsmead State Forest is open year-round (8 AM to sunset) for walking, picnicking, and bird watching. Don’t miss the 1-mile Edith Chase Ecology Trail.
Four-Legged Friends: Dogs are welcome on a leash! 
Directions: Located off Route 118 east of Litchfield center on Chase Road. Put “Topsmead State Forest” into your GPS and follow the signs to the parking lot.