Plan Your Visit
We are thrilled to welcome you to the Greenwich Historical Society! Tour the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House, historic landscape and gardens. Explore the Library and Archives to learn or research our local history. Visit our galleries for temporary exhibitions and permanent collections. Join us for lectures and a wide variety of programs in the Vanderbilt Education Center. Support us and local artisans by shopping online or in person at our Museum Store.
Bush-Holley House
The Bush-Holley House was constructed circa 1730 and is a designated National Historic Landmark open to the public by guided tour. Guided tours introduce visitors to two distinct time periods in Greenwich history – the New Nation era(1790-1825), when it was home to the wealthy mercantile Bush family and the individuals they enslaved; and the Art Colony era (1890-1920), when the Holley family ran it as a boarding house and home to Connecticut’s first art colony.
Guided tours of the Bush-Holley House are offered Wednesday through Sunday, at 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, and 3:00 pm with museum admission.
Frank Family Foundation Special Exhibitions Gallery
Temporary art, history and cultural exhibitions take place in the Greenwich Historical Society’s Frank Family Foundation Gallery located in the Museum & Library building.
The Special Exhibitions Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 – 4:00 pm with museum admission.
Permanent Collections Gallery
View works of art from the Greenwich Historical Society museum collections and enjoy an orientation film in the Permanent Collections Gallery located in the Museum & Library building.
The Permanent Collections Gallery is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 – 4:00 pm with museum admission.
James Stevenson & Josie Merck Stevenson Library & Archives
The James Stevenson & Josie Merck Stevenson Library & Archives Collections consist of over 1,300 linear feet of personal papers and manuscripts, organizational records and photographic materials; printed works such as histories, genealogies, catalogs, maps and atlases; and audio and videotape pertaining to all aspects of Greenwich history, Bush-Holley Historic Site and the Cos Cob art colony.
Visits to the Library & Archives are by appointment only. Please email to make an appointment, or submit a research request.
Vanderbilt Education Center & Barn
Our restored mid-19th century barn serves as an education center for lectures and programs for school children, families and the greater Greenwich community throughout the year. The barn also provides a charming and rustic setting ideal for private celebrations and workshops and is available for rental.
Museum Store
The Museum Store reflects the history of our town and related exhibits, garden and decorative arts, housewares, and gifts for men, women and children.
The Museum Store is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm and Saturday and Sundays from 12:00 – 4:00 pm or shop online now!
Administrative Offices
Staff work onsite in the circa 1805 Justus Luke Bush Storehouse. Built as a storehouse for the Bush family mercantile business, it later served as the Cos Cob post office.
Administrative offices are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location
The Greenwich Historical Society is located at Exit 4 off I-95. The site is a short walk from the Cos Cob station on the Metro-North line servicing New York City and New Haven.
Greenwich Historical Society
47 Strickland Road
Cos Cob, CT 06807
203-869-6899
Parking and Accessibility
Convenient parking is provided on the site with options for additional parking located directly across the street.
Accessibility to the entire site is provided via an elevator to the upper level and accessible walkways throughout. The Bush-Holley House does have steep stairs and is not accessibility-friendly, please inform us of any mobility concerns and we will do our best to adjust tours to accommodate any visitors with disabilities.
Museum Admission
Admission includes access to Museum Galleries, Special Exhibitions and guided tours of the Bush-Holley House.
Adults: $10
Seniors and Students: $8
Free to all members, children under 18 and active military and their families in summer months as part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Blue Star program.
Group tours available on request here
We are a proud member of the CT Art Trail: Visit all 21 museums on the Connecticut Art Trail for only $35. Art Trail passports are available for purchase in Museum Store.
Free admission to the public is available on Wednesday.
