Conceived by the pioneering early 20^th century architect Theodate Pope Riddle, the 152-acre historic property houses her family’s collection of furnishings and Impressionist art, including masterpieces by Monet, Degas, Picasso, and Whistler, as well as extensive gardens and pastures. The 7,000-square-foot Visitors Center includes modern environments for the display of art and antiquities as well as indoor and outdoor amenities to enhance the visitor experience.

“The key to this project was enhancing visitor reception and flexible exhibition spaces while respecting the distinctiveness of Theodate Pope Riddle’s architecture,” said Chad Floyd, FAIA, Principal-in-Charge. “Our renovations allow Hill-Stead to accommodate more visitors while improving the quality of their experience,” he added.

“We are going to bring this space alive with exhibitions and programs. We very wisely made it a multi-purpose space for performances, lectures, and workshops,” said Anna Swinbourne, Executive Director of the Hill-Stead. “We finally have a space where we can bring people together year round.”

Realized in collaboration with the State of Connecticut Department of Economic Community Development and the State Historic Preservation Office, the new facility preserves historic outbuildings that originally contained stables, carriages, automobiles, and farm equipment. Centerbrook took care to introduce life safety systems and finishes while preserving the building’s outward appearance.

“We managed to make what on one’s first arrival might appear to be no alterations,” said Charles G. Mueller, AIA, Centerbrook’s Project Manager. “But our sensitive yet dramatic transformations to selected interior spaces allow Hill-Stead to expand its exhibit offerings with galleries that meet museum-level standards for light, temperature, and humidity control,” he said.