Hill-Stead Museum

As we close out Women's History Month, Hill-Stead is excited to look toward the future, celebrating the next generation of women architects. One such visionary is Annabelle Selldorf, whose exceptional work is reshaping the architectural landscape.

Annabelle, a trailblazer in the field, is best known for her thoughtful, context-driven designs that blend modernity with historical preservation. Her recent leadership on the Frick Collection renovation—set to reopen on April 17—is a perfect example of her skill in merging the old with the new.

Hill-Stead is proud to feature her work in our current exhibition, The Arethusa Collection From Italian Renaissance to Contemporary British Art. Annabelle’s work showcases how women like her are shaping the future of architecture. Here's to the women who are building tomorrow’s world today.



Photo credits:
1. Harry Mitchell via Architectural Digest
2. Architectural Digest

Congratulations to Shavaun Towers for being awarded the Elizabeth Bullard Award by the CT Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. This award recognizes the achievements of female landscape architects in Connecticut who advance the goal of gender equity in the profession. Shavaun has over 45 years of experience and continues to serve her community, especially here at Hill-Stead. She was instrumental in the Sunken Garden restoration and is continuing her dedication with the current Walking Garden project.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate Theodate’s commitment to preserving Hill-Stead and the indelible mark her work left on history. Theodate’s foresight in ensuring that this architectural masterpiece would be open to the public for generations to come is a powerful reminder of the impact women have made in fields often dominated by men. As we reflect on her legacy, we are reminded that preserving our cultural landmarks is not just about protecting the past, it’s also about ensuring future generations can experience and learn from our history.

Let’s continue to honor women like Theodate who paved the way for the preservation of our history, and inspire future generations to carry on this vital work.



Photo: Theodate Pope Riddle, with her parents Alfred and Ada on Hill-Stead’s West Lawn c. 1905

When Ella Grasso was elected Governor of Connecticut in 1974, she made history—not just as the state’s first female governor, but as the first woman in the U.S. to be elected governor in her own right—without following a husband into office.

Her victory proved that women belong in leadership—whether in politics, architecture, or activism. Just as Theodate built her own legacy in a male-dominated field, Ella shattered expectations in government, paving the way for future women leaders.

From designing buildings to shaping laws, women change the world when given the opportunity to lead.

Two women, generations apart, both challenging the status quo through education.

In 1833, Prudence Crandall opened the first school for Black girls in the United States in Canterbury, Connecticut—a bold act that led to harassment, legal battles, and even imprisonment. But she remained steadfast in her belief that education was a right, not a privilege.

Nearly a century later, Theodate Pope Riddle carried that same passion for education forward. In 1917, she founded Avon Old Farms School (AOF) in honor of her father, designing not just the buildings but also shaping its philosophy—one that emphasized character, independent thought, and hands-on learning.

Both Prudence and Theodate understood that education is the foundation of leadership—whether in architecture, activism, or beyond. Their legacies continue to inspire those who believe in breaking barriers and building a better future.



Photos:
1. Prudence Crandall
2. Canterbury Female Boarding School
3. Theodate at the construction site for Avon Old Farms
4. Avon Old Farms

Though Theodate is celebrated as a trailblazing architect, her journey toward supporting women’s rights wasn’t immediate. Early on, whether out of respect for her father, Alfred Pope, or personal hesitation, she was not initially in favor of women’s suffrage. But over time, her perspective shifted, and she became a supporter of the movement, joining the fight for women’s right to vote.

One of Connecticut’s most prominent suffragists was Katharine Martha Houghton, president of the Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association and a fierce advocate for women’s rights. A West Hartford resident and 1994 inductee into the Connecticut Hall of Fame, Katharine led efforts to secure the vote for women across the state.

Theodate was also surrounded by bold, outspoken women like Mary Cassatt and Louisine Havemeyer, both of whom used their influence—and their art collections—to support suffrage. Though we don’t know if Theodate and Katharine ever crossed paths, they were both part of a larger movement that redefined women’s roles in the 20th century.



Photos:
1. Connecticut Votes for Women – Connecticut State Library, State Archives, Connecticut Woman’s Suffrage Association
2. Katherine Martha Houghton

Born just three years after Theodate, Alice Washburn (1870–1930) forged her own path in architecture—without formal training, a college degree, or even a high school diploma.

A self-taught architect, Alice studied the craftsmanship of 18th- and 19th-century New England homes, refining her designs until she became a defining force in Colonial Revival architecture. She designed so many homes across New Haven County that her signature style became known as the “Washburn Colonial.”

Though Alice, like Theodate, never received the same recognition as her male counterparts, her homes remain a lasting testament to her talent, determination, and love for classic design.



Photos:
1. Alice Washburn
2. Example of a Washburn Colonial home, courtesy of the New Haven Register
3. Theodate Pope Riddle at the construction site for Westover School
4. Hill-Stead Museum today

In a world where women were expected to follow tradition, Hill-Stead’s founder, Theodate Pope Riddle and artist Mary Cassatt carved their own paths in architecture and art—fields that at the time were dominated by men.

Theodate had the full support of her parents, while Mary’s family initially rejected her artistic dreams, expecting her to embrace high society and marriage instead. Over time, Mary’s mother, Katherine Cassatt, became her champion, even moving to Paris to support her career—much like Ada Pope did for Theodate.

Beyond their shared determination, Theodate and Mary were friends, connected by their love of art and innovation. Mary even advised Theodate’s father, Alfred Pope, on which Impressionist masterpieces to collect—some of which now fill the walls of Hill-Stead.

At Hill-Stead, Cassatt’s drawing “Young Women Picking Fruit” is more than a genre scene—it’s a bold rejection of traditional religious imagery, symbolizing the modern woman’s independence and redefined role in society. Theodate and Marydidn’t just break barriers in art and architecture—they rewrote the rules.



Photos:
1. Mary Cassatt in her Paris apartment, photo taken by Theodate Pope Riddle, 1903
2. Mary Cassatt, Gathering Fruit, c. 1895

On International Women’s Day, Hill-Stead Museum is delighted to announce the selection of Mikyoung Kim, FASLA, as the second recipient of the Theodate Pope Riddle Women in Architecture and Design Award.

This award recognizes women who have made a significant contribution to design excellence and the advancement of women in the fields of architecture and design. Theodate Pope Riddle was one of the first women architects to become licensed in Connecticut and New York and was passionate about constructing environments that encouraged an awareness of nature, learning, a sense of home and legacy.

Mikyoung Kim, FASLA is an international landscape architect and urban designer. She is the founding principal of Mikyoung Kim Design, a Boston-based studio whose portfolio of restorative landscapes seeks to improve public health by drawing individuals and communities outdoors to engage with and learn about the wonder of the natural world.

The award ceremony will be held on April 24 at 6pm. To learn more, visit: https://hillstead.org/event/tpr-award-2025/

Theodate Pope Riddle Women in Architecture and Design Award: Mikyoung Kim - Hill-Stead Museum REGISTER HERE. Join Hill-Stead Museum on Thursday, April 24th at 6pm for the annual Theodate Pope Riddle Women in Architecture...

What do Hill-Stead and the Musée d'Orsay in Paris have in common? They were both designed by two visionary women architects who did groundbreaking work in the field.

In 1981, architect G*e Aulenti transformed the 1900 Beaux Arts Gare d’Orsay train station into the world-renowned Musée d'Orsay. Today the museum houses the most important collection of Impressionist works.

Eighty years earlier, in 1901, Theodate Pope Riddle, completed the construction of Hill-Stead in Farmington, Connecticut. Theodate designed Hill-Stead with her father’s Impressionist art collection in mind, thoughtfully creating rooms where the paintings could be displayed. Today, Hill-Stead is one of only three museums in the United States to have two Monet Haystacks in its collection.

This Women’s History Month join us in honoring G*e and Theodate and their talent, vision, and the spaces they created for future generations to experience art, history, and beauty.

Photo key:
1. Musée d'Orsay, inside view
2. Musée d'Orsay, from the outside
3. Édouard Manet, Olympia, 1863. In the collection of the Musée d'Orsay.
4. Édouard Manet, The Guitar Player, 1866. Hill-Stead Museum collection.

Photo credit: Getty Images

Theodate.
An architect before women were allowed; Survivor of a sinking ship Lusitania; Founder of a school to educate boys AND a museum to serve the public.

Now that’s a role model.

You can help us keep her legacy alive by making a donation today: https://hillstead.org/donate/

Happy Women’s History Month!

We are closed Sunday, February 16 due to the weather. Stay safe and warm everybody!

We will be closing at 3pm today due to the weather forecast. Stay warm and safe!

Join us on Thursday, February 27 at 6pm for a conversation with Tony Yurgaitis, owner of Arethusa Farm in Litchfield, about his passion for collecting. Tony’s story, fusing appreciation of art with a passion for farming, is a familiar one at Hill-Stead. Hear more about honoring this connection with a discussion led by Executive Director, Dr. Anna Swinbourne. Following the talk, please join us for a cocktail reception.

Learn more and purchase tickets here: https://hillstead.org/event/conversation-with-collector-tony-yurgaitis/

The phrase “air castle” appears just once in Theodate Pope’s diaries, as she emerges from adolescence and is on the brink of womanhood, while still living in Cleveland, Ohio and before she enrolled in Miss Porter’s School in Farmington in the fall of1886. It was a defining period of her life that would eventually bring her family to this central Connecticut village. The diary passage foretells what her life would become. “Air castles” is the theme of this year’s juried exhibition. What is your dream, musing, fantasy brought to life in your artmaking? Apply now for our 2nd Annual Juried Members Exhibition.

Visit this link to learn more and apply now: https://hillstead.org/2024/11/06/castles-in-the-sky/

Photo credit: Revival by Eddie Hall

Think you know your Impressionism? Celebrate 150 years of this iconic art movement with a fun quiz from the NYT. Come test your skills at Hill-Stead and see if you can identify the time of day our Haystacks were painted at. So, take the quiz, then come visit us to discover the beauty of Monet’s inspiration firsthand!

Test your knowledge here: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/01/16/arts/design/impressionism-quiz.html

It’s packing tape! No, it’s an English phone booth! No, it’s an artwork by Dutch-German artist Max Zorn (b.1987) made for the Arethusa Collection and now on view at Hill-Stead. Come see it for yourself!