IT'S A CELEBRATION
The Story of Harkness Park
Getting married at Harkness Park has deep meaning to us. We frequent the park for kite flying, picnics, walks, geocaching, and visits to Buddha in the garden. A special place to us, we have witnessed many weddings while visiting there. The grounds are full of amazing photo opportunities, from the gardens and antique greenhouse, to the mansion, beach, and Long Island Sound. When we made the decision to get married here in CT instead of Las Vegas, our honorary second home, there was only one venue that we wanted, Eolia Mansion at Harkness Park.
Much of the Park’s historic distinction is attributed to Eolia, the grand former summer home of philanthropists Edward and Mary Harkness, and its surrounding gardens and greenhouse. This Gatsby-era mansion is among the best remaining examples of the grand seaside estates that once occupied the Sound’s shoreline at the beginning of the twentieth century. The Park’s meticulously maintained grounds feature spectacular formal gardens, expansive lawns, and picnic areas, a rock filled sandy beach, , and panoramic views of the Sound. Harkness Memorial State Park is amongst the most spectacular sites on the East Coast, with lengthy coastline and panoramic sea views. The property boasts bucolic colonial-era fields, stone walls, and buildings associated with the ancestors of the Park’s donor, Mary Stillman Harkness. The park includes 237 acres of gardens, groves, beaches and tidal marshes, with some 60 buildings.
Mary and Edward Harkness – The Harknesses at Eolia
Mary and Edward Harkness were married in 1904. They bought Eolia from Mary’s sister and her brother-in-law, Jessie Stillman and William Taylor in 1907. Eolia was one of their seven homes and reputed to be their favorite. They resided here in Waterford from May until September. In June, they enjoyed the annual Yale/Harvard Regatta. On July 4th each year, Mary’s birthday was celebrated with a party held at Camp Harkness. In 1920 Mary had apportioned part of property to establish Camp Harkness, a place for learning, medical support and recreational enjoyment for children afflicted with polio.
Mary and Edward were very private people who avoided public attention and acclaim. Despite their incredible history of philanthropic giving, they studiously avoided speeches, ribbon- cuttings and self-congratulatory publicity.
They did not host lavish parties, but welcomed close friends for intimate visits. Some of these guests were some of the most influential people of their time- the J.P. Morgans, J. D. Rockefellers, and Lord McMillan to give a few examples.Besides sea bathing, other recreation activities included Edward’s private 9-hole golf course, and “cigar time” in the Carriage House’s: billiard room, squash court and bowling alley.
Mary and her guests enjoyed strolling through the gardens and afternoon teas under the latticed roofed Pergola that overlooks the Italian or West Garden.
Originally a 237-acre working dairy farm with a herd of prize Guernsey cows, the Eolia estate had 65 employees, 35 of whom were year-round support staff. In addition to its stunning floral gardens, designed by Beatrix Farrand and later Marion Coffin, the estate featured vegetable gardens, and fruit orchards. Not only did the farm provide food for the Harkness’s time in residence from May until September, but also enough produce for their main home in New York City as well as next-door Camp Harkness. Fresh farm bounty was delivered to both locales in a 1938 Model A truck still here on the property Also, each Friday, the farm hands were allowed to take butter, milk, cheese and produce home to their families.
