Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

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Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

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A National Historic Landmark American craftsmen, along with many immigrant artisans, were employed in the construction of the house.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is regarded as one of the earliest and finest surviving Second Empire Style country houses ever built in the United States. The 62-room mansion was built by banker-railroad tycoon LeGrand Lockwood, who in 1864 began construction of his estate on the Norwalk River in Norwalk, Connecticut. Designed by European-trained, New York-based architect Detlef Lienau, the mansion, which was completed in 1868, is considered his most significant surviving work. In 1876 the Mansion was purchased by Charles Drelincourt Mathews, a wealthy provisions merchant. His son, Charles Thompson Mathews, won an international competition for the design and construction of the Lady Chapel at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC in 1899. Following the death of Miss Florence Mathews in 1938, the house was first leased and then sold to the City of Norwalk for "park purposes." When the City announced their plans for demolition, the Common Interest Group sued the City of Norwalk and the Mansion was saved in 1964; in 1971, the Mansion was designated as a National Historic Landmark. Today, the Museum is a cultural gem which highlights the lives, styles and technology of the Victorian Era. Tours are offered early April through early January, Wednesday-Sunday. Tours are conducted on the hour at 12, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Please visit the Museum’s website for tour schedules and pricing: www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/programs.

10/16/2026

Dignitaries, Community Leaders, and Guests Celebrated film history at The Mansion’s “Red Carpet Gala.” Guests were greeted by LMMM Chairman of the Board Douglas Hempstead, event Co-Chair and Trustee Ernest DesRochers, Executive Director Susan Gilgore, and members of the Gala Committee, the Board of Trustees, Gala Volunteers, and staff.

Dignitaries included Connecticut Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas and the Honorable Barbara Smyth, Mayor of Norwalk. LMMM Trustee Lynne Byington accepted the "Red Carpet Gala Award," on behalf of Fairfield County Bank, which recognized the bank's exceptional contributions, dedication to community enrichment, and commitment to preserving the Mansion’s historic legacy.

The event featured a cinematic experience provided by the Avon Theatre; actress Kristi Coombs, widely recognized for impersonating Marilyn Monroe; and a preview of the new exhibition, “The Evolving Icon,” presented in collaboration with The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists and curated by artist/designer and LMMM Trustee Gail Ingis.

photos: Big Picture Media, Miggs Burroughs, and LMMM.

10/13/2026

Do you want to know where the bodies are buried? Join us at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum on Tuesday, October 20th, for a thrilling evening of true crime. In “Grave Objections: A History of Body Snatching for Science”, James Henry will talk about 19th c. body snatchers who built a lucrative industry secretly exhuming fresh corpses. For tickets and information: https://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/grave-objections/
Artwork: Thomas Rowlandson, “Grave-robbers, with death pictured as a nightwatchman” (1755), pen and ink, with watercolor (Courtesy of The Public Domain Archive, Wellcome Collection, England).
Photo of James Henry Courtesy of James Henry.

10/12/2026

Step back in time this spooky season and come meet Mr. Carter, the Mansion's 19th-century butler, in these immersive, deeply atmospheric theatrical tours. As Halloween chair David Heuvelman shares, these tours "will give you goosebumps too." We are proud to present this experience in collaboration with ArtSynergy Productions. Join us if you dare, tickets are selling so fast it's scary! October 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. Tickets:https://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/ghosts-spirits-at-the-mansion/
Photo Credit: Amy MacRae

10/06/2026

Come join us for a fantastic evening of music specially curated for the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum! Broadway stars Raissa Katona Bennett and Arbender Robinson are back in a dynamic show on Saturday, November 14th that pays tribute to America 250 and the American Dream. Musical direction by Mark Janas. For tickets: https://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/a-musical-melting-pot/
Photo credits:
Raissa Katona Bennet headshot: Gene Reed
Arbender Robinson headshot courtesy of the artist

09/23/2026

"Ghosts & Spirits at the Mansion" is a must-see, riveting theatrical tour you don't want to miss! Produced in collaboration with ArtSynergy Productions, this spine-chilling immersive experience brings history and haunted stories to life. These exciting tours will only be available on October 22,23 &24. Buy your tickets now at :https://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/ghosts-spirits-at-the-mansion/
Spirit photo by Tomira Wilcox .lens.
Mansion photo courtesy of LMMM.

09/16/2026

Discover the art that shaped our nation! Join us for "Painting Patriots, Healing Wounds: The Art of Colonel John Trumbull," known as the 'Painter of the American Revolution'. This will be a fascinating talk on Sunday, November 8th, from 2-4pm featuring CT State Historian Emeritus Walter W. Woodward. For tickets and more information: https://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/painting-patriots-healing-wounds-the-art-of-colonel-john-trumbull/
Images of John Trumbull paintings: wikicommons
Photo of Walter W. Woodward courtesy of Walter W. Woodward.

09/12/2026

Bargains, Bargains, Bargains! Come to the Mansion’s Old-fashioned Flea Market tomorrow, September 13th, from 10am-4pm and among the more than 80 amazing vendors you will find hidden treasures, unique finds, and exciting vintage and repurposed items to gift or to keep.
The Mansion will be open for $5 mini-tours between 12-3:45pm. Come join us, rain or shine!
Photos courtesy of Gus Apazidis and LMMM.

09/10/2026

Step into the late 19th century and meet those who may be inhabiting these stately walls. In “Ghosts and Spirits at the Mansion”, Florence Mathews will invite you to move, listen, observe, and discover what may be waiting in her majestic rooms. Along the way, classic works of Gothic literature unfold as immersive theatrical encounters. Characters and stories begin to intersect as themes of obsession, madness, and the supernatural echo from one room to the next.

Produced in collaboration with ArtSynergy Productions, this special after-hours experience will offer visitors an engaging interpretation of Victorian culture and spiritualism.
Dates: October 22nd, 23rd and 24th, theatrical tours between 6-9pm.
For tickets and more information: https://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/ghosts-spirits-at-the-mansion/
Photo credits:
Ghost photos: Tomira Wilcox .lens
Mansion photo and woman in black: Gus Apazidis

09/08/2026

Join us at our annual Gala on October 3rd and get ready for iconic photo ops, an exciting cinematic experience courtesy of the Avon Theatre, and a night filled with old Hollywood glamour. Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but the impact of your support will be even better! For tickets and more information: https://lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/the-red-carpet-gala/
Photo of "Marilyn" courtesy of Smash Entertainment NY Smash Party Entertainment NYC

Address

Mathews Park, 295 West Avenue
Norwalk, CT
06850

Telephone

+12038389799

Website

http://www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/, https://linktr.ee/lockwoodmathews

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