Henry Whitfield State Museum

Connecticut is packed with history, but the most visible eras tend to be the 18th and 19th centuries. That doesn't mean what came before was any less fascinating. To get a sense of how people lived in Connecticut in the 17th century, make your way to the Henry Whitfield State Museum in Guilford. Built in 1639, it is the oldest house in Connecticut and the oldest stone house in New England.

Reverend Henry Whitfield sailed from England with a group of Puritans in search of religious freedom. They purchased land from a local Indian leader, then began constructing what would be a place of worship and family home for the Whitfields as well as a fort in case of attack. A museum since 1899, it offers self-guided tours and special exhibits.