The Hyland House, a museum of early colonial life and architecture, was built circa 1690-1710. Scheduled for demolition in 1916, it was purchased and restored by the Dorothy Whitfield Historic Society. It has been open to the public as a living historical environment since 1918. With five fireplaces and hand-hewn floors and walls, the house is remarkably close to its original condition. On display in its rooms is a collection of 17th- and 18th-century furniture and decorative arts, including primitive utensils, slipware, rope bedsteads, family chests, quilts, stumpware and samplers. Clockmaker Ebenezer Parmelee, grandson of the original owner, was the most prominent resident of the house. A shipwright and master of several metal and woodworking trades for much of the 18th century, he left his mark as the father of Connecticut clockmaking. Open to the public every day but Monday, June-Labor Day weekends until Columbus Day; by appointment.