Town of Woodbury
Glebe House

Set in the picturesque Litchfield Hills in historic Woodbury's village center, the Glebe House museum offers the visitor a glimpse of Revolutionary War era Connecticut. The simple but elegant 18th century farmhouse is furnished as the home of the Reverend John Marshall, his wife Sarah and their nine children who lived in the "glebe" during the turmoil of the American War for Independence.

  THE HISTORY

A Glebe is the farm land enjoyed by a rural clergyman as part of his benefice. His dwelling, if in town, is a rectory or vicarage, but if on the glebe it was commonly called a glebe house, In 1771 Woodbury's first Episcopal priest, John Rutgers Marshall of new York City, arrived with his wife Sarah. By the end of the Revolutionary War, John and his family had endured the oppression suffered by many New England Anglicans who were often presumed to be loyal to the King, whether or not they were in fact.

Only weeks after American independence was secure, a group of Episcopalians met secretly at the Glebe House to make a momentous decision; to take part in the building of a new nation while upholding their religious heritage. The group elected the Reverend Dr. Samuel Seabury as the first Bishop in the new world, a decision that assumed both the separation of church and state and religious tolerance in the new nation.

THE HOUSE

The house was built about 1750 and is an architecturally interesting and unusual combination of gambrel and saltbox roof styles. After the Marshalls had moved from the Glebe House, Gideon B. Botsford, a silversmith, lived in the house. Botsford lived and worked at the Glebe House, with his wife and family of eight children, through the mid19th century. Bu the 1920s the house had passed through several owners and fallen into great disrepair. As plans were discussed to tear down the house, it was saved by the Seabury Society for the Preservation of the Glebe House, which repaired the building, began collecting furniture, and raised funds to ensure continued operations as a museum. The Glebe House was restored in 1923 under the direction of William Henry Kent, pioneer of early American decorative arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. On eof the earl historic house museum on the country. The Glebe House opened its doors tot he public in 1925.

THE GARDEN

In 1926, the famed English horticultural designer and writer was commissioned to plan an "old fashioned" garden to enhance the newly created museum. Gertrude Jekyll had a profound influence on modern garden design and is widely considered the greatest gardener of the 20th century. Although a small garden, when compared with the some 400 more elaborate designs she completed in England and on the Continent, the Glebe House garden includes 600 feet of classic English style mixed border and foundation plantings, a planted stone terrace and in intimate rose allee'.

For reasons unknown today, the garden Miss Jekyll planned was never fully installed in the 1920's and its very existence was forgotten. After the rediscovery of the plan in the late 1970's the project was begun in earnest in 1990 and is now being completed according to the original plans.

Today,the Glebe House Museum and Jekyll Garden is a non-profit educational institution that seeks to make itself available to everyone as a unique historical, religious and cultural landmark by preserving its heritage and providing programs and opportunities for education, research and reflection.

The Glebe House Museum welcomes groups! For group reservations and information call (203)263-2855

Schools and Children's groups: We are happy to work with children of all ages and their teachers or leaders to design appropriate programs. Groups may sign up for a general tour (30 minutes), a Hands-on tour (60 minutes) or an in-depth workshop (90 minutes)

Garden Clubs, Church Groups and other Adult Groups: Groups of up to 45 people are easily accommodated in tours, which list 1 to 1 1/2 hours focusing on the 18th century, Episcopal Church history or the Gertrude Jekyll garden

Outreach: We'll come to your group meeting with a slide presentation emphasizing Colonial History, the Jekyll Garden or the birth of the Episcopal Church at the Glebe House

Volunteers: Over 100 volunteers work here taking care of the collection, giving tours, working in the library, running the gift shop and planting the garden. If you would like to become involved in our activities, please call (203) 263-2855

Become a member. Member donations are used for public programs, collections care, the library, the Jekyll garden restoration and preservation work changing exhibits and general operations. For membership and member benefits information, please contact the museum office at (203) 263-2855

Museum Hours April through November 1-4pm, Closed Mondays & Tuesdays Other Times by appointment (203) 263-2855

Admission rates $5.00 per person 12 and up $2.00 under 12 Members free