Higganum House B&B
Kamilla & Clark Gardner welcome you to stay at this Historic Bed & Breakfast, LLC
Enjoy a vacation stay in this country mansion built 1841, Listed on the State Register of Historic Places
We are located in the Connecticut River Valley in the village of Higganum
Early English settlements in the Higganum area are documented since 1660. At that time the sachem or sovereign of the territory around Higganum was Towwehashque of the Wongunk tribe. In 1697 she was succeeded by her daughter Pampenum.
a rare stucco Italianite style villa, built in 1841
The HIgganum House B&B has been in our family since 1908. The house is now a registered historical site with the State of Connecticut. The mansion was a Bed and Breakfast Establishment from 1892 until 1907 when it was known as The Dooley House.
We now continue the tradition combining great hospitality with 21'st century amenities. Experience the relaxed New England countryside in this charming estate situated on 4 acres of lawns, gardens and open fields.
The surrounding areas are used for many recreational activities like biking, boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking. Enjoy a stay on your way along the New England Coastline; we are only a 20 minute drive away from the shoreline on route 9, exit 9. We are about 100 miles northeast from Midtown Manhattan. Commuter trains travel from Grand Central Terminal to New Haven and Shoreline East trains connect to Old Saybrook.
Explore this eccentric old mansion and the many hidden treasures along the Connecticut river.
Things to Do when staying at HIgganum House B&B
Within a 5-10 minute walk from the Higganum House B & B lies the Higganum Reservoir, or, as the people of Higganum call it lovingly, THE RES.
The Higganum Reservoir gives us the pleasure of fishing, swimming and watching the local grey heron fly by.
Hours: Year-round, dawn to dusk, Free Access
Handicap Accessible: Fishing platform Founding Date: 2003
The original dam was constructed in 1868 by the 2 brothers George M. and Thomas J. Clark of the Higganum Manufacturing Company called the Clark Company. Their firm, later known as Clark Cutaway Harrow, was one of Higganum's most successful industries, produced an extensive line of farm equipment including 400 types of plows, disk harrows, cider presses, hay spreaders and carriage jacks. The factory, located at the site of the now empty Rossi lumberyard, was powered by water from the reservoir and Candlewood Hill and Bible Rock Brooks. The factory burned in the early 20th century but the dam and reservoir remained until its 2003 reconstruction as Higganum Reservoir State Park. The new dam is 20 feet high and has a walkway which allows you to gaze at the water rushing over an old stone spillway down into a beautiful clear brook.
Watershed Area: 6.6 Square Miles
Lake Area: 32 Acres
Higganum Reservoir State Park covers137 acres. Meandering trails through the woods surrounding the lake are ideal for short hikes and mountain biking.
Higganum Village
Once a commercial hub for shipbuilding, primarily for whaling in the 1600's and 1700's then a place of manufacturing during the 1800's; Higganum is now a qaint little community nestled at the river banks and home of the Spirit of 76 House
East Haddam Village
Home of the the Goodspeed Opera House and final destination of the River Steam Boat
Chester Village
A beautifully restored little village with art and design galleries and restaurants all along main street.
Deep River
Situated on the Connecticut River banks; many reaturants, small shops, and a piano-key factory.
Essex Village
Home of the Griswold Inn, one of the oldest operated inns in the country open for business since 1776; many boutiques, reaturants, art galleries and the Connecticut River Museum; situated right where the Connecticut River meets the Long Island Sound; board the historic Essex Steam Train.
Old Saybrook
Visit the marina or one of the public beaches right at the Long Island Sound; once the home town of Kate Hepburn the town named their new cultural center after the late actress; visit the many shops and restaurts.
Westbrook
A quaint shoreline community with several public beaches right at Long Island Sound between New Haven and New London.
Middletown
Home of the Wesleyan University; enjoy their cultural program open to the public (http://events.wesleyan.edu/) or, visit the local movie theater.
Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwoods Resort Casino
A 45 min. drive away you find two large casinos offering gambling, dining, spas and entertainment.
