Hill-Stead is an impressive Gilded Age mansion located in Farmington, Connecticut. It is home to an outstanding collection of Impressionist and late 19th century masterpieces.

Alfred Pope became wealthy as an industrialist based in Cleveland, Ohio. As the 20th century dawned, he and his wife Ada wanted a country estate in the East so as to be close to family and friends. Therefore, he purchased some 250 acres of rural land not far from Hartford, Connecticut.

To design the house, the Popes turned to their daughter Theodate, one of the first female professional architects in the United States. She created Hill-Stead in the Colonial Revival style and sited it on a hilltop to take advantage of the impressive views over the surrounding area. In addition, she designed barns and outbuildings so that the estate would also act as an experimental farm.

In 1888, Alfred, Ada and Theodate had made the “Grand Tour” of Europe, as many wealthy Americans did at the time. While in Paris, Alfred and Theodate visited the gallery of Paul Durand-Ruel, who was the primary dealer for the Impressionists and their circle. At first, Alfred and Theodate were not impressed by these controversial avant garde works. However, over time, they developed an interest and became collectors of works by Monet, Degas and Manet.

The Popes were also friends with American ex-patriot Mary Cassatt who encouraged their interest in French Impressionism. Along the way, the Popes also added some of Cassatt's works to their collection.

Another American ex-patriot who attracted Alfred's interest was James McNeill Whistler. Alfred corresponded with the artist and purchased several of his works.

In addition to such contemporary art, the Popes' collection also included American, European and Japanese prints, bronze sculptures, ceramics and furniture. When Hill-Stead was built, the collection became its interior decoration.

Theodate died in 1946. Her will specified that Hill-Stead would become a museum “for the benefit and enjoyment of the public.” Furthermore, the art collection was to remain intact and not be loaned out to other museums.

Consequently, Hill-Stead is open to public tours. It is kept as it was when the Popes and Theodate's husband John Riddle, lived there.

On the tours, visitors walk through a home that is decorated with masterpieces of a quality typically found only in the world's best museums. It is startling to see one of Degas' race course scenes over a fireplace or one of Monet's haystacks over a sofa. One realizes that when these works were purchased they were just pieces of contemporary art used to adorn people's homes. Indeed, that is probably how the artists who created them envisioned that they would be seen.

Furthermore, while photos of these masterpieces can be seen in art books, it is a different experience to see them live, where you can see their actual size and details such as the brush strokes. Inasmuch as these works are never loaned out, Hill-Stead is the only place you can have such an experience.

Places to see art ​ - Hill-Stead Museum - Farmington, Connecticut