The new year is here and Harrybrooke Park is already moving forward full speed. With 48 full acres and a beautifully persevered house that has been turned into a museum, there is something here for everyone and every occasion! Our Pavilions are rented year round for birthday parties, graduations,  reunions, weddings, and various other events; As are the grounds, Harden House Museum, and beautiful Gated Garden. 2020 has already brought us 7 weddings from May - September of this year and a couple more for 2021. Harrybrooke is the wedding venue that has it all, which is why so many lucky couples have had beautiful weddings in our park, and many more continue to have their special day here. There is something to be said about a venue that has its own natural beauty.

In addition to weddings, 2020 has brought us a couple new wonderful staff members, and some exciting new events. Everyone involved is looking forward to what the warmer months will bring, including the peacocks! It goes without saying that Harrybrooke is full of opportunity, so don't wait to have your special day in the park, whatever that may be.   



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Harrybrooke Park was the home of Frank and Elizabeth Harden from 1943-1965.  The home was their 48-acre "retreat" from their bustling life in the city. Frank made his fortune in Irish Linen Handkerchiefs.  Frank and Elizabeth were married on property on June 15th, 1943. Which some of you may know if you follow the blog regularly! Frank grew up in Ireland on an estate known as "Harrybrooke."  The falls behind the Harden House Museum reminded him of his childhood, which sold him on the property. There are many nods to Ireland, not only in the museum, but throughout the park as well. 

When Liz passed in 1964, and Frank followed in 1965, they left their beautiful estate to the people of the town, and not to the town itself. 

Interested in more of the history of Harrybrooke and The Hardens? Tours are given by appointment or by chance.
Schedule an appointment today for a tour of the Harden House Museum! There is a suggested $10 donation per visitor, as your donation would be supporting Harrybrooke, a non-profit 501c3 orginazation. As mentioned, Harrybrooke was left to the people of the town, not the town itself, so we are not funded by the town or state. Harrybrooke lives and breathes from 10,000 hours of community service yearly and by  your generous donations! ​

Our first wedding of the season! It was a beautiful day for a beautiful couple, truly a magical day.

Our bride and her girls arrived at around 9:00am at the Harden House Museum to settle in and get ready for the wedding festivities. Their bouquets arrived and were placed in the kitchen to keep cool, they filled the kitchen with a sweet and fresh floral aroma. The bride settled into Elizabeth Harden's room, fit with a chaise lounge, ornate lamps, a desk stationed with a 3 way mirror. She relaxed as the artist prepared the bride's hair and makeup, at the same space Elizabeth Harden used every morning to get ready for the day. The Mother of the Bride, bridesmaids, and flower girl meandered throughout the house, enjoyed the sights and sounds of the Still River flowing just out back. 
1:00pm ceremony. The guests are arriving and taking the scenic walk towards the Gated Garden. There was a certain buzziness in the air, new faces at the park, excitement, joy, love.  The garden slowly fills with wedding guests, just a bit less than 100 attendants. The groom and groomsmen are already lined up, awaiting the ceremony - light grey suits with bright green ties. The pop of color fit perfectly with Harrybrooke. The music starts and the procession begins, one by one down the aisle - to soft and sweet instrumentals. There is a pause just before the bride steps foot onto our memorial brick aisle. The music shifts, and there's a slight change.
The Imperial March booms from the speakers. YES, the Imperial March from Star Wars...an acoustic version, of course. (HOW AWESOME) A father walks his daughter down the aisle. Smiles and laughter throughout the crowd. This couple really made their ceremony special and unique to them. 
Reception. Up on the hill was a tent positioned next to the Conn Pavilion. The Pavilion was transformed into dinner and dancing, the tent for guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy their food (burritos!) Lawn games set the tone for a fun, relaxing, and laid back evening.

​At the end of the day, this wedding was what the true meaning of a wedding is all about - marrying the one you love, and having everyone there to celebrate it. 

Harden House Museum

Our second wedding of the season was a bit different than the first. Remember thinking "aren't all weddings pretty much the same?" Here's where I prove it's not true. 

It's 4:00pm on a Friday Evening at Harrybrooke. Our volunteers have already been in to make sure the Harden House was polished and pristine. The family and caterer begin to arrive to prepare for the 6:00pm arrival of guests. The Harden House is taking shape into a space for a reception and celebration! Guests begin to arrive, about 60 attendants in total. Soft music plays in the background as the attendants conversations buzz. The Harden House is coming to life. If you closed your eyes you could almost go back to the early 1950's and the Harden's here hosting a weekend soiree. The sun was slowly setting through the trees. It was a beautiful sight on the patio, the setting sun, birds flying over the Sill River, the soft sound of music and the rolling river. A perfect place to celebrate love.

See? Two weekends, two totally different weddings. At the end of the day, a wedding is truly what you want it to be.
At Harrybrooke, we provide you with the beautiful backdrop - and what you decide to do with your day is up to you. You could have a food truck, or a sit down 4 course meal - either way, it's YOUR DAY and it's your responsibility to make it your own with unique and personal choices that reflect you and your spouse!