Peoples State Forest was established in 1924 for the people of Connecticut. It is open to
the public for picnicking, hiking, youth-group camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. 

Hours: The Nature Museum is regularly open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM, Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, or during the week by appointment.  However, the museum is temporarily closed to the public for the 2020 season due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements.   
Admission is free. Call (860) 379-2469 for more information. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Museum Naturalist ~ Janet Bumstead

Forest Supervisor ~ Richard Miska

The Nature Museum is part of the CT Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's State Parks Division.

A Brief History

The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum, located on Greenwoods Road in Barkhamsted, Connecticut was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was open until 1942, when the CCC was decommissioned. The outside of the Museum, and the fireplace, are made from local fieldstone.  The inside is paneled in American chestnut, which was harvested after it was destroyed by the chestnut blight.

After sitting idle for 50 years, the Museum was reopened in 1992 under the direction of Marilyn Aarrestad, the Peoples State Forest supervisor at that time. It was reopened under a new name, "The Stone Museum." The curator for the next 15 years was Walter Landgraf. Upon his passing in 2007, the museum was again called "The Peoples State Forest Nature Museum."

The purpose of the museum, then as now, is to educate visitors about local flora, fauna, and history. The area surrounding the Museum is rife with natural treasures and interesting tales from the early settlers. All this and more is reflected in the Nature Museum's displays, and through interpretive programs.