Did you know that Connecticut is home to many beautiful and unique gardens? Come learn how sixteen historic sites, dotted throughout the state, with historically significant gardens, have joined to form Connecticut’s Historic Gardens. These delightful places offer visitors an opportunity to explore a variety of garden styles and time periods. 

In her slide presentation, Laurie Masciandaro will introduce us to the history and beauty of these sixteen distinctive historic sites and gardens that have charmed and inspired visitors for a century or more.

About Laurie – Laurie is currently Site Manager at Historic New England’s Roseland Cottage in Woodstock, Connecticut, where daily she enjoys one of the loveliest Historic Gardens in the northeast.

Hailing from Washington state, Laurie is a graduate of the University of Washington in Seattle. She holds a Master’s Degree in American History from the University of Connecticut. Her Master’s thesis, “Disdaining the Republic: William Wetmore Story, Expatriate Aristocrat,” reflects her primary interest in ante-bellum United States history, with an emphasis on the 19th century expatriate artists’ community in Rome, Italy.

Laurie was an avid golfer before full time employment robbed her of discretionary time. She served on the board of the First Tee of Connecticut, is past president of Southern New England Women’s Golf Association, is currently a board member of Connecticut’s Historic Gardens and serves on the American Association of State and Local History’s (AASLH) Awards of Excellence committee. In a past life, Laurie was a lyric soprano, and remains a dedicated opera buff.

Copies of Jana Milbocker’s book “The Garden Tourist’s New England: A Guide to 140 Outstanding Gardens and Nurseries” will be available for sale benefiting Roseland Cottage.  Several of the gardens in Laurie’s presentation are included in the book.