Harkness Memorial State Park, a Connecticut State Park located near Colchester, Groton and Mystic

Harkness Memorial State Park Mansion, Pergola, Garden Wall © Craig Szwed
Late afternoon Summer sun behind photographer gives a special glow to Harkness mansion, pergola, and gardens.

Harkness Memorial State Park Japanse Maple Hideaway © Robin McMenamin
The lines and the curvature of this tree is an example of how beauty lies in the imperfect. This tree never runs out of shapes. When it is covered in the summer, it is a perfect hideaway spot. Also, you can pay respects to the animals that once resided on these grounds.

Harkness Memorial State Park The strength of columns © Robin McMenamin
The column divides the view of the mansion. Columns are great symbols of hard work. Harkness park is the true sign of hard work and the luxury to follow afterwards.

Harkness Memorial State Park Wood carved pergola ceiling © Robin McMenamin
This has inspired me for the textiles I design.

Harkness Memorial State Park Magnificent © Robin McMenamin
A grand view of the enormous mansion. The sky leaves you wondering what is behind this place What is the story of this mansion To me, this place is like a dream.

Harkness Memorial State Park Wrought Iron Intrigue © Robin McMenamin
Wrought iron is one of the most interesting works of art. I love to see how the vines are fused on to the fence.

Harkness Memorial State Park Quiet Abandonment © Robin McMenamin
I am aware that Harkness is planning on restoring the greenhouses. Perhaps one day we will see it in working condition again.

Harkness Memorial State Park Protection © Robin McMenamin
I just learned of the artist Patrick Dougherty at the Florence Griswold Museum. He and I share the same love for buildings covered in ivy and sticks. There is something haunting, beautiful and comforting about it.

Harkness Memorial State Park Gardens © Robin McMenamin
A walk through here enters you into a state of pure bliss.

Harkness Memorial State Park If this was my home © Robin McMenamin
I said to my oldest son, if I was ever rich Id try to buy and live at Harkness. He said what about the visitors How would you take that away from them I said, Id still share it with them and we would have a lot of friends

Harkness Memorial State Park What seems to be early morning © Robin McMenamin
Over the horizon lies the beautiful Long Island Sound.

Harkness Memorial State Park Peaking through the window © Robin McMenamin
Again, the deserted greenhouse. A calm and odd quiet surrounds this place. It makes me wonder how lively and colorful it once was.

Harkness Memorial State Park Royal Entrance © Robin McMenamin
I hear the sounds of horses carrying a carriage. A woman dressed in beautiful Victorian dress and the servants awaiting her arrival.

Harkness Memorial State Park Climbing Roses on Garden Wall © Craig Szwed
Pink climbing roses on garden wall at Harkness State Park.

Harkness Memorial State Park Pergola and Trees © Craig Szwed
Western end of Harkness Parks delightful classical style pergola. This is located on the West side of the mansion.

Harkness Memorial State Park Seaside East Garden Gate © Craig Szwed
East seaside garden viewed through filigree wrought iron gate, shows late afternoon lighting of garden and mansion.

Harkness Memorial State Park Vaulted Seaside Porch © Craig Szwed
This vaulted, patterned porch ceiling, with side collonades, in located overlooking the seaside lawn of the Harkness mansion.

Harkness Memorial State Park Fountain with Statue and Plants © Craig Szwed
This decorative fountain is located in the gardens to the West of Harkness mansion.

Harkness Memorial State Park West Lawn Ocean View © Craig Szwed
Ocean view from edge of West garden and lawn often provides scenic photo opportunities of passing shipping.

Harkness Memorial State Park © Robin McMenamin

Harkness Memorial State Park Summer Sweeps © Robin McMenamin

Harkness Memorial State Park Building at Gardens © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park © Robin McMenamin

Harkness Memorial State Park Garden overlooking the Sound © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park The Gardens at Harkness © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park Doe © Edward M. Case
She was out with two fawns, crossing the road to the beach, and we slowed the car, after all, this is her home. She graciously posed for me.

Harkness Memorial State Park Gift Shop © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park Other Side of the Dunes © Edward M. Case
Standing on a lovely little footbridge, I saw Gods face in clouds, on the water.

Harkness Memorial State Park Cormorants © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park Cat © Edward M. Case
A couple beached the catamaran for long enough, for me to capture the beauty, and the form, nature with man...

Harkness Memorial State Park Gull, Damselfly, People © Edward M. Case
I saw all of us getting along swimmingly, even the gull, and the damselfly, over the hills, near the dunes, without a clue, I see you.

Harkness Memorial State Park Natures Way © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park Flowers © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park © Sandra Seidel

Harkness Memorial State Park Egret Waiting © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park SHARK © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park Harkness Memorial © Kirstin Peterson
Lawn and trees

Harkness Memorial State Park © Kirstin Peterson

Harkness Memorial State Park Something like a wonderland © Robin McMenamin
Looking at this image only makes me think of a storybook. In the spring you only see the branches that are striving for the green to return. In due time, it will once be colorful again with the sun shining through the lattice.

Harkness Memorial State Park Gates of floral © Robin McMenamin
If you look closely at the iron work on here you can see that it was all hand made. Perhaps a hammer or mallet shaped the heads of the fence.

Harkness Memorial State Park Wedding Inspiration © Robin McMenamin
I see why couples desire to marry here. Although the winter has left a mark on the walkway of this pergola, it only leaves me with the impression that many blessings for a healthy marriage lie within this place.

Harkness Memorial State Park Elegant entrance © Robin McMenamin
This gate welcomes you to more beauty at Harkness. Again, another inspiration to the textiles and motifs I design.

Harkness Memorial State Park Climbing Vines © Robin McMenamin
Mother Nature will always find her way to let us know she isnt going anywhere. Through tragedy and through beauty.

Harkness Memorial State Park Meditate © Robin McMenamin
I often wonder why people spend a lot of money on travel when beauty is all around us. To me, it is even more beautiful because it is basically right in our own backyards and it doesnt cost a thing.

Harkness Memorial State Park Something in Paris Alley © Robin McMenamin
This has me only thinking of something in the city of Paris. A dark alley that leads you out to a bright courtyard.

Harkness Memorial State Park Reflections © Robin McMenamin
The sky dominates this image with the reflection of the mansion.

Harkness Memorial State Park Flowers in Garden © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park Catch of the Day © Karol Livote

Harkness Memorial State Park Harkness Memorial © Kirstin Peterson
Into the gardens

Harkness Memorial State Park © Edward M. Case

HARKNESS MEMORIAL STATE PARK

HARKNESS MEMORIAL STATE PARK
275 Great Neck Road
Waterford, Connecticut 06385

Phone: 860-443-5725
Toll Free: 866-287-2757

Email:

Enjoy the panoramic views of Long Island Sound from Eolia, the elegant summer mansion of the Harkness family set on over 230 seaside acres of sweeping lawns, with stately trees and spectacular gardens. Named Eolia, for the island home of the Greek god of winds, the mansion was built in 1906 and purchased by Edward and Mary Harkness in 1907. The 200+ acres were a working farm and the mansion served as the Harkness? summer home.

The Roman Renaissance Classical Revival-style mansion has 42 rooms and includes a pergola (tearoom) and carriage house (support complex). Lush gardens flank the mansion on both the east and west lawns, and an Alpine Rock Garden adds to the beauty and splendor of the seaside panorama.

Mansion Hours:The mansion is open for tours weekends and holidays from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. The first tour of the day starts at 10:00 a.m. and the last at 2:15 p.m.

Rental Information:Eolia is available for weddings, private parties, seminars, conferences, luncheons and teas from March 1 to December 23.

History of the Area

Originally from Ohio, Edward S. Harkness was to become heir to a fortune initiated by his father's substantial investments in John D. Rockefeller?s Standard Oil. Instilled at an early age with an ardent love for his fellow man and a feeling of responsibility for the wise and just use of the wealth at his command, Mr. Harkness was to bestow over two hundred million dollars upon wide-ranging philanthropies.

The mansion was purchased in 1907 by Edward and Mary Harkness. From 1918 to 1929, extensive work was done to the grounds by noted landscape designer Beatrix Jones Farrand (one of the founders of the American Society of Landscape Architects). The estate was left to the State of Connecticut in 1950 and became part of the State Park system in 1952.

Passes

Connecticut has made state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more accessible to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer. Under the Passport to the Parks program, parking fees are now eliminated at Connecticut State Parks for those with Connecticut registered vehicles. You can view the CONNECTICUT PASSPORT TO THE PARKS web page to learn more.

Nearby Accommodations

Captain Stannard Bed and Breakfast Country Inn - Westbrook , CT

BBs / Inns

Located along the CT Shoreline midway between New York City and Boston, and only one hour from Hartford, with tons of local attractions both on the Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River.

WEBSITE |

DIRECTIONS

14.2 miles from park*

Location

Harkness Memorial State Park is located near Colchester, Groton and Mystic

Nearby Parks

Fort Griswold State Park

Fort Griswold Battlefield State Park

Bluff Point State Park

Rocky Neck State Park

Stoddard Hill State Park

Fort Shantok State Park

Nehantic State Forest

Orient Beach State Park

Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park

Selden Neck State Park

Area Attractions

Enjoy the panoramic views of Long Island Sound from Eolia, the elegant summer mansion of the Harkness family set on over 230 seaside acres of sweeping lawns, with stately trees and spectacular gardens. Named Eolia, for the island home of the Greek god of winds, the mansion was built in 1906 and purchased by Edward and Mary Harkness in 1907. The 200+ acres were a working farm and the mansion served as the Harkness? summer home.

The Roman Renaissance Classical Revival-style mansion has 42 rooms and includes a pergola (tearoom) and carriage house (support complex). Lush gardens flank the mansion on both the east and west lawns, and an Alpine Rock Garden adds to the beauty and splendor of the seaside panorama.

Mansion Hours:The mansion is open for tours weekends and holidays from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day. The first tour of the day starts at 10:00 a.m. and the last at 2:00 p.m.

Rental Information:Eolia is available for weddings, private parties, seminars, conferences, luncheons and teas from March 1 to December 23.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews

August 8 Seaside beauty by KT

We were married at Harkness Memorial Park 17 Years ago. At sunset in August the gardens were in full bloom.

October 4 Beautiful by Elena Gerard

I am an artist and I did an oil painting of the garden with the cherub holding the two ducks in the fountain. It was perfectly beautiful

April 12 Great place to take the family by Tyler Bailey

Many great memories at the park. Riding bikes, playing frisbee, horses, beach, hide and seek. Great area.

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Area Campgrounds

Pequot Ledge Campground
157 Doyle Road
Montville, CT
860-859-0682

Sun Outdoors Mystic
45 Campground Road
Stonington, CT
860-536-4044

Niantic I95 Exit 72 CT KOA
271 West Main Street
East Lyme, CT
860-739-9308

Aces High RV Park
301 Chesterfield Road
East Lyme, CT

Camp Niantic-By-The-Atlantic
271 West Main Street
Niantic, CT
860-739-9308

Seaport Campground
PO Box 104
Old Mystic,, CT
860-536-4044

Nearby Hotels

Booking.com

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Directions

Take Route 2 south to Colchester. Route 85 south to New London, take a right onto Boston Post Road (Route 1), and then take a left onto Ocean Ave. Right onto Niles Hill Road. Left onto Dimmock Road.

From Hartford area: take Route 91 southbound onto Route 9 south. It will merge with Route 95, go northbound on Route 95, take Exit 75. Bear right at the end of the exit, you will be on Route 1. Proceed 3 miles to the light at Avery Lane (Route 213), turn right and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.

From Boston and Providence areas: take Route 95 southbound to Exit 81. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left onto access road and proceed to stop light. At the light take a left onto Cross Road and continue to the intersection with Route 1. Turn left onto Route 1 and continue to the traffic light at Avery Lane (Route 213). Turn right onto Avery Lane and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.

From New York and New Haven areas: take Route 95 northbound, Exit 75. Bear right at the end of the exit, you will be on Route 1. Proceed 3 miles to the light at Avery Lane (Route 213), turn right and follow to the park. Avery Lane will become Great Neck Road. The park will be on your right.