Durand-Hedden House and Garden is an historic house museum that finds interesting ways to explore our community’s fascinating past – through nature, architecture, music, food, social life, local history, reenactments and participatory activities – and to spotlight the “treasures” in our own backyards. Our aim is to make history exciting and relevant for all ages.
Mission
The Durand-Hedden House is owned by the Township of Maplewood and managed by a non-profit association of citizen trustees. Its purpose is to preserve, restore and interpret the historic Durand-Hedden House, the surrounding Grasmere Park, and our collections.
It is dedicated to providing diverse educational exhibits and programs that foster the public’s knowledge and appreciation of the heritage and development of the Maplewood area and surrounding towns from the time of its original settlement in the late 17th century to the late 20th century.
Where History is a Community Effort
By creating an environment in which history can come alive, the Durand-Hedden House has attracted the interest and participation of a wide variety of individuals and groups over the years. They have made donations and loans of antique furniture, textiles and other objects, have volunteered their services as educators and workers, and have contributed the funds to present compelling programs.
And most important, they have come to participate and learn. Programs have included demonstrations on the 1810 loom; cooking at the open hearth; concerts by local and regional artists; visits from highly respected historical interpreters portraying George Washington, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Theodore Roosevelt; Musters by re-enactors of Revolutionary and Civil War brigades; and annual Juneteenth celebrations.
