What: Museum and Environmental Center
Where: 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby, CT 06418
Phone: (203) 734- 2513
House Tours: May—mid-December; Thursday & Friday, 10 am–3pm; Saturday, 10 am–4 pm; Sunday 12–4 pm
Grounds: Open year-round Monday–Saturday 9 am–4 pm (May–December, grounds also open Sunday, 12–4 pm)
Web: www.ct.gov/dep/kellogg
The Osborne Homestead Museum:
The Osborne Homestead Museum celebrates the life of Frances Osborne Kellogg, an accomplished businesswoman and conservationist who was dedicated to preserving land for future generations.
Directly across the street from Osbornedale State Park, the Osborne Homestead Museum encompasses the house and grounds of the former Frances Osborne Kellogg Estate. Originally constructed in the mid-1800’s, the house was expanded and completely remodeled in the Colonial Revival style during the 1920’s. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, its restored interior now displays the original contents of the estate, which constitutes a significant collection of antiques and fine arts.
The Osborne Homestead Museum was originally a farm house built in the early 1800’s. The first Osbornes to occupy the house, Wilbur Osborne and Ellen Lucy Davis, married and moved into the farm house in 1867. Together, they managed the Estate as a dairy farm, and Mr. Osborne owned and ran several industries in Derby, Ansonia and Bridgeport. Their only surviving daughter, Frances, became a prominent business woman after her father’s death. She became the president of the Union Fabric Co., V. President of Connecticut Clasp, Treasurer of the F. Kelly Company, as well as a founding partner of Steels and Busks, Ltd. Of Leicester, England.
Miss Frances Osborne became Mrs. Waldo Stewart Kellogg in 1919. During their marriage, Waldo took charge of the operation of the Osbornedale Dairy, and, with the acquisition of a prize bull, began to improve the herd through selective breeding. The resulting herd soon became famous throughout New England for quality milk production.
In 1951 Mrs. Kellogg deeded the Estate and the farm to the State of Connecticut to be maintained as open space and made available to the citizens of Connecticut. After her death in 1956, the farm became Osbornedale State Park.
Kellogg Environmental Center:
The Center offers workshops, exhibits, nature activities, and lectures for the general public. Through hands-on programs, families can enjoy learning about nature and the environment. Throughout the year, the Center offers special weekend programs, nature walks, and family workshops. Regular programs include youth summer programs and wildlife monitoring projects. Visitors can enjoy wildlife such as fish and turtles within the Center.
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