Mission: Hill-Stead Museum, a National Historic Landmark, serves diverse audiences in Connecticut and beyond as a welcoming place for learning, reflection and enjoyment. The museum develops, preserves, documents, displays and interprets its exceptional Impressionist paintings, 1901 historic house, collections and 152-acre landscape for the benefit of present and future generations.
Background: Hill-Stead was established in 1946 by the will of Theodate Pope Riddle (1867-1946), a pioneering female architect who designed the Colonial Revival-style house for her parents in 1901. It opened to the public in 1947, and has since served educators, kindergarten through college students, artists, nature and garden enthusiasts, literary fans, and urban youth. Guided by the professional standards of the museum’s accrediting body, the American Association of Museums, the board and staff affirm their responsibility as stewards to maintain historic authenticity and visual integrity, and to fully realize the museum’s interpretive potential and make its resources available to the public. In 2009, Hill-Stead served more than 43,244 people, an increase of more than 9,500 from 2008 due to a growth in community programs such as the new farmers market.
Hill-Stead receives support from individual contributions, foundations and sponsorships. Federal and state grants provide additional funding. Every year the museum must raise 85 percent of its operating budget. Forty percent of Hill-Stead Museum’s operating budget is earned income, a number the museum is working to increase through new entrepreneurial efforts. The rest is from contributed income.
Major Fundraisers:
May Market Home and Garden Emporium, May 7-8, 2010.
Monet in May Benefit Dinner Auction, May 27.
Dinner on the Hill Farm-to-table benefit dinner, Sept. 19.
Volunteer Needs: Hill-Stead’s core volunteer group is The Hill-Steaders, whose mission is to actively support the museum in the areas of fundraising and community outreach.
Contact Paul Stigliano, development manager, at (860) 677-4787 or stiglianop@hillstead.org. For other volunteer opportunities, visit www.hillstead.org/getinvolved/volunteerlist.html.
Leadership:
Sue Sturtevant, Ph.D., director, CEO;
Marie Dalton-Meyer, director of institutional advancement;
Cynthia Cormier, director of education and curatorial services;
Margaret C. Darby, board president;
Paul H. Eddy, board vice president/ president elect;
Kiki T. Katz, board 2nd vice president;
James W. Fanelli, board treasurer.
Contact Information: Hill-Stead Museum
35 Mountain Road
Farmington, CT 06032
(860) 677-4787; www.hillstead.org
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Sue Sturtevant, Ph.D, is director and CEO of the Hill-Stead Museum.
