Topsmead Events & Activities

by Margaret Hunt

Oh the Fragrance!

May 2022 (photos by Margaret Hunt)
 

On my mid-May Topsmead walkabout, a powerfully heady fragrance enveloped me as I neared the cottage.  What plant or plants was it coming from?  Of course, the lilacs!  I had never noticed before that lilacs surround the cottage and a thick aisle of lilacs parallels the lane leading from the welcome center to the cottage front door.  Dark purple lilac blossoms cluster around the dove cote; bright white lilac blossoms rise above the walled corner of the dining room garden; light lavender lilac blossoms embrace the walls of the cottage from the western side all the way around southern side to the eastern front finally stopping at the kitchen door. 

     -read complete Musings essay-

Spring at Topsmead by Tom Holzel

REMEMBERING TOPSMEAD:

Conversations with Bob Orintas

The Garden at Underhill

​​Remembering TopsmeadAs Spring is slowly unfolding in the Litchfield Hills, it’s nice to think about getting out into the garden. Edith Chase enjoyed her garden at Topsmead. It was located north of the cabin (and later the house we see today) near East Litchfield Road. When on that road you may have noticed an old driveway and small barn that are still visible. The ladies always called that part of the property, “Underhill” presumably because it was downhill from the house.  A small house was built there in 1926 which served as a guest house.

George Wilson, Miss Chase’s chauffeur was the first person to care for the garden. In addition to his driving duties, he was a general handy man, and his wife was the family’s cook.
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