Goodbye to Curt FabischE
we miss you so much already!
It is beyond a heavy heart that we say goodbye to a man who loved this park like no other. Curt grew up here and shared the stories of the Hardens first hand. His efforts over the years and dedication to its restoration and preservation are unmatched.
We are blessed to have known him, honored that he and his wife Shirley Fabische have dedicated a lifetime to the park.
We have lost an incredible piece of the park.
Say hi to Frank and Elizabeth for us, Curt. Your work among us was truly good work. Rest easy now.
We truly are blessed to have known you and we are all richer for your service to country and to the community for a lifetime.
Love ya buddy.
We are blessed to have known him, honored that he and his wife Shirley Fabische have dedicated a lifetime to the park.
We have lost an incredible piece of the park.
Say hi to Frank and Elizabeth for us, Curt. Your work among us was truly good work. Rest easy now.
We truly are blessed to have known you and we are all richer for your service to country and to the community for a lifetime.
Love ya buddy.
the bridge is re-opened,
but there is work to be done yet!
text to give today, to help us restore the bridge.
Well, the bridge has officially reopened. The structural support had gone to an unsafe level but thanks to a grant provided by the Town of New Milford we were able to fix it temporarily. It will take quite a bit more effort to restore the bridge over the next 2-3 years, but we are open for events, weddings and rentals. We certainly still need your help. You can click the button to donate or text the word BRIDGE to 860-935-6505 and every dollar given will be earmarked for the full bridge restoration. Please share the text to give number with friends and family, and ask your employers if they will match donations to the incredibly important project. We thank you!
free museum tours for kids this summer!
Thanks to a grant from the state of CT, we are able to offer FREE tours of Harden House Museum to kids under 12 AND one adult with them. It's important for the next generation to learn about Harrybrooke and who gave it to the people! Normally it is a $10 suggested donation for this guided tour that takes about 45 minutes to perform.
Schedule yours today as we are by appointment or by chance. This offer is from July 1 to September 3rd, 2022.
Regular hours set will be Tuesdays from 1pm to 4pm, but appointments are encouraged on others days AND on these.
Some days will be available based on request and availability while some dates the museum may be closed.
Schedule yours today as we are by appointment or by chance. This offer is from July 1 to September 3rd, 2022.
Regular hours set will be Tuesdays from 1pm to 4pm, but appointments are encouraged on others days AND on these.
Some days will be available based on request and availability while some dates the museum may be closed.
Upcoming events!
Bricks in the Harden Garden are a lovely gift for the holidays. Get them while you can! Just click the box!
Check out the new designs in our store!
We will be rescheduling a chunk of events in 2022 and certainly hope you'll support us as soon as we can get them up and running. The people's park has a lot in store for all of the joy we have missed out on while in quarantine!
Be sure of that!
Be sure of that!
WTNH Channel 8 - Ann Nyberg
asking about us!
Sorry, No Dogs.
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Dogs are not allowed in Harrybrooke Park. While many ask (and we truly love all animals) no dogs are allowed in Harrybrooke Park. For Service dogs, paperwork must be on your person to show any park staff and please keep them on a leash. This is an insurance regulation and it is strictly adhered to on all park grounds. Full rules of the park are listed on this site under "more" and then "Rules".
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Art Restoration in HArdeN house museum
The weekend estate of Frank and Elizabeth Harden from 1941-1965 holds a treasure of artwork and is a snapshot of this era of elegance. With some master copies and some originals that have faced the test of time, the museum is now taking steps to restore the artwork to its original beauty. Thanks to a grant from the New Milford Commission on the Arts, nine original paintings have recently been restored by Yost Restoration. These paintings are estimated to be more than 100 years old and may not be listed with his collections.
Yost removed soot, dirt, nicotine and an aging varnish that also yellows and pools on the paintings. They have also repaired structural cracks and corrected the structure of the paintings. The difference is night and day, bringing a new life to the artwork in the museum.
"The Museum has been through serious repair and upkeep over the last twelve years. While the former home of Frank and Elizabeth Harden has come back to life, the paintings have certainly suffered," state Executive Director, Billy Buckbee. "When we received the first painting back, it was breathtaking and inspiring. I stared at the clipper ship in the painting and said 'This is what it looked like when Frank first hung this up!' and it truly does change the look of the room. We cannot thank the New Milford Commission on the Arts enough because this gift goes far beyond those dollars."
Buckbee stated that they are now looking for help to restore more of the work in the Harden House Museum. "This is only the beginning, but we need help from those who appreciate art, conserving history and bringing these paintings back to life. The original colors are vibrant and powerful, but as a non-profit, we have to be careful where any raised dollars go for the grounds and regular upkeep. We are looking for those who would like to help us preserve and protect the art itself for future generations to enjoy and learn from."
Click the donate button at the top of the page to help us restore more.
Yost removed soot, dirt, nicotine and an aging varnish that also yellows and pools on the paintings. They have also repaired structural cracks and corrected the structure of the paintings. The difference is night and day, bringing a new life to the artwork in the museum.
"The Museum has been through serious repair and upkeep over the last twelve years. While the former home of Frank and Elizabeth Harden has come back to life, the paintings have certainly suffered," state Executive Director, Billy Buckbee. "When we received the first painting back, it was breathtaking and inspiring. I stared at the clipper ship in the painting and said 'This is what it looked like when Frank first hung this up!' and it truly does change the look of the room. We cannot thank the New Milford Commission on the Arts enough because this gift goes far beyond those dollars."
Buckbee stated that they are now looking for help to restore more of the work in the Harden House Museum. "This is only the beginning, but we need help from those who appreciate art, conserving history and bringing these paintings back to life. The original colors are vibrant and powerful, but as a non-profit, we have to be careful where any raised dollars go for the grounds and regular upkeep. We are looking for those who would like to help us preserve and protect the art itself for future generations to enjoy and learn from."
Click the donate button at the top of the page to help us restore more.
Image GALLERY
Some of the most wonderful photographs are taken in the natural beauty of the park and the museum contained within. If you take a beautiful photo, we can share it here or on our social media pages.
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Location & HoursWe are open 365 days/year from sun up to sundown for walkers, runners, bicycle rides or just to come sit and read a book or meditate. On occasion we do have park-wide events that may close the park, or force admission costs, so please see our calendar if you're planning a trip. Office hours are 10am-4pm.
Harrybrooke Park & Harden House Museum 100 Still River Drive PO Box 364 New Milford, CT 06776 860-799-6520 Office@HarrybrookePark.org |
