Bates-Scofield House - Darien, Connecticut

This Coastal Fairfield Region attraction - Bates-Scofield House - Darien, Connecticut

Have you ever visited a saltbox house?  This type of home was built in the circa 1736 and names for the Bates family and the Scofields in this time.

The house was restored by the Darien Historical Society in 1964 and has been available for tours to showcase the construction and lifestyle of the time.

The house was built around a massive central chimney with a huge fireplace and the famous beehive oven.  This type of fireplace and oven assisted in keeping the heat going through the house in the winter as well as providing the necessary cooking area.

This house is furnished with 18th and early 19th regional furniture.  The styles and decorative value of this type of furnishings will certainly add an interesting view for your tour.

There is a garden adjacent to the house that has over 30 varieties of culinary, medicinal and strewing herbs know to have been used in Connecticut in the 18th century.  Many of these plants are being researched again today for their many uses.  Sometimes the old things are really effective and need to be thought about in our modern world.

The house has been painted on the interior with time appropriate colors which certainly include the return to the vibrant colors and high gloss glazes that were originally used during this time.

While you are touring the house you will have the opportunity to see the antique costumes on display.  There are over 1500 costumes and accessories of men, women and children including shoes, hats, fans and paisley shawls dating back from the mid 18th century to 1935. 

During the time of the 1880’s Yacht Club Regattas were a big thing in the area and the clothing that was worn is on display at the house.  You will be able to see things like the Yachting dress and hat, the clothing men wore such as their jacket and matching vest and white flannel trousers.  It will be fun to just look at the styles and the colors of the clothing on display.

Hopefully by the time you get to the area to tour the farm you will be able to also see the barn will be added to the house.  There will be a building joining the house and the barn just as it did years ago. 

With the addition of the barn the costume displays will be expanded since there are so many that can not be shown now due to lack of space, there will be additional paintings on display as well as the quilts that are also an interesting part of the home’s history.

Tours: Wednesday and Thursday, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

There is an admission charge for house tours. Members and children admitted free of charge. For group tours please call (203) 655-9233 for an appointment.

Society and Library Hours
Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.,
Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Location: 45 Old Kings Highway North, Darien, Connecticut 06820