History

Topsmead State Forest is the former summer estate of Miss Edith Morton Chase, daughter of Henry Sabin Chase and Alice Morton Chase. Henry Sabin Chase was the first President of Chase Brass and Copper Company in Waterbury. Chase Brass was one of the leaders in the brass industry when Waterbury was the Brass Capital of the world.

Free guided tours of the residence are offered from June through October on the 2nd and 4th weekends of each month. Reservations are not required. On open weekends, tours are available from 12:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M., except for the last open weekend in October when hours are from 12:00 P.M. - 4:00P.M.
Visitors may picnic informally on the grounds, residence lawns included. Open fires or grills are not allowed.
Numerous trails and unpaved lanes are available for walking. In addition, the Edith M. Chase Ecology Trail offers a 7/10 mile walk with interpretive signs.

Directions

From Route 8: take Exit 42. Go west on Route 118 for 2.0 miles. Turn left onto Clark Road to the stop sign. Take a right at the stop sign then the first left onto Buell Road. The first right off Buell is the entrance to Topsmead.

From Litchfield Center: take Route 118 east for 1.5 miles. Take a right onto East Litchfield Road. Take the first right onto Buell Road. Topsmead will be the first road on the right.

Notice

Visitors may picnic informally on the grounds, residence lawns included. Open fires or grills are not allowed.

 

Maps

Park Map 466 Kb PDF