Stowe House Adds Tours for Vacationing School Kids

Just in time for school vacatio, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford expands its tour times and programs for kids.

The Child's Tour is offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30 pm or by appointment with added dates of Dec. 26, 27 and 28 as well. The Child's Tour is an interactive hands-on tour of Stowe's family home, with props, craft activities and storytelling. This kid's-eye view of everyday life in the 19th-century Stowe household is suggested for 5-12 year olds with an accompanying adult.

In December, the Stowe house is decked with family decorations, Christmas trees, garlands and more. Families will see how the Stowe family celebrated the holiday and shared with others. The "Reforming the Season" exhibit features 19th-century Christmas etchings, greeting cards, toys, horns and sleds. Children and parents alike can make a Christmas cornucopia ornament and Christmas crackers as well as share family holiday traditions and ideas for giving to those in need. 

Children will also enjoy coloring pictures of the Stowe house decorated for the holidays including the front parlor with a festively-decorated Christmas tree, a holly-themed punch bowl used by the Stowe family and stockings hung by the fireplace.

Admission for the Child's Tour is $5 for children ages 5-12 and $4 for adults (age 13+) accompanying children. Reservations are requested: 860-522-9258, ext. 317. 

The themed tour for the month of December focuses on "Christmas at the Stowes." Tours leave every half hour. The Stowe Center offers an opportunity for a post-tour discussion after every 12:30 p.m. tour. Admission for this tour is $9 for adults (17-64), $8 for seniors (65+) and students, $6 for children (5-16) and free for children under 5.

The Stowe Center is located at 77 Forest St., Hartford.