Family Nature Day, First Oval Office & More Events as September Slides Into October

Let’s be honest: Every season is the best time of year in Litchfield. After all, when you live in or visit a special place blessed with history, scenic beauty, and bountiful sophisticated lifestyle amenities, it’s wonderful year-round … and even in the rain.

That said, we all have preferences and the season that may well get the plurality of the popular vote is Autumn, when the days turn crisp, the light glows all golden, sweater weather invites cozy stops for coffee and dining – and events that put you in the heart of the action add luster to all of Litchfield’s everyday charms.

The “official” beginning of Autumn, as late September slides into October, features plenty to do, see and experience. Here’s a sampling of upcoming events. For more, see the Events page on the Visit Litchfield CT website.

🎨 Oliver Wolcott Library Art Opening: Chrysanthi Fairchild-Werner

  • 🗓️ When: Opening Reception: Thursday, September 24 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM

  • 📍 Where: Jamie Gagarin Gallery at Oliver Wolcott Library, 160 South Street

  • 🎨 Details: Explore the vibrant, tactile collage work of artist Chrysanthi Fairchild-Werner. Reusing old magazines and playing with torn-edge textures, Chrysanthi crafts rich compositions filled with playful details—look closely to spot hidden elements like vegetables or motorcycles nestled inside colorful landscapes. Free and open to the public during library hours through October 30.

  • 🔗 https://www.owlibrary.org/on-exhibit.aspx#anchor_chrysanthi

🎭 “Vincent: A Portrait by the Postman Roulin”

  • 🗓️ When: Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

  • 📍 Where: Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Road

  • 🎭 Details: Step into an intimate one-man theatrical performance by SAG actor Ted Zalewski. Set in an 1890 French café, the play explores the life and artistic spirit of Vincent van Gogh through the eyes of his loyal friend, Postmaster Joseph Roulin. Filled with humor, passion, and historic detail drawn from van Gogh’s own letters.

  • 🔗 https://thecommunitycenter.org/event/vincent-a-portrait-by-the-postman-roulin-theatrical-performance/

🦅 The 44th Annual Family Nature Day at White Memorial

  • 🗓️ When: Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  • 📍 Where: White Memorial Conservation Center, 80 Whitehall Road

  • 🌿 Details: A classic Litchfield tradition celebrating Mother Nature! Enjoy live animal presentations featuring birds of prey, opossums, and reptiles. Plus guided walks, tractor rides by Bunnell Farm, live music by Wry Bred, artisan market stalls, kids’ nature crafts, a popular pie sale, and yummy local food.

  • 🎟️ Admission: $6.00 for adults; Center Members & kids under 12 are FREE.

  • 🔗 https://whitememorialcc.org/event/the-42nd-annual-family-nature-day/

⛺ First Oval Office Project Family Day

  • 🗓️ When: Saturday, October 3, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

  • 📍 Where: Tapping Reeve Meadow, 82 South Street

  • 🏛️ Details: Step back into 1776! The Litchfield Historical Society hosts a handsewn reproduction of General George Washington’s mobile command tent from the Museum of the American Revolution. Tour the encampment, try out replica Revolutionary War equipment, and interact with living history interpreters bringing the era to life.

  • 🎟️ Admission: $15 Adults; $12 Members & Youth under 16.

  • 🔗 https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/r/day/2026/10/3?ctz=America/New_York

🏡 Topsmead State Forest Cottage Tours

Tours of the 1925 Cotswold-style summer home of Edith Morton Chase at Topsmead State Forest return this week and don’t miss out because after this weekend there’s only one more chance for tours this season on the Saturday and Sunday of Columbus Day Weekend.

Thanks to the CT DEEP seasonal employees and the Friends of Topsmead State Forest, these free guided tours are offered on the second and fourth weekends of each month (June through Columbus Day Weekend) … with tours given on both Saturday and Sunday.

⏰ Tour 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.

🚜 Weekend Farmers Markets

Don’t forget the Bantam Community Farmers Market from 3-6 on Friday (Sept. 25) at Alain White Field on Route 209 and the Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market from 10-1 Saturday (Sept. 26) in the Litchfield Firehouse parking lot off North Lake Street.