Eolia (The Harkness Estate) is a Renaissance Revival estate in Waterford, Connecticut. Built in 1907, it was designed by Lord & Hewlett, and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It is owned by State of Connecticut.
Location: 275 Great Neck Road, Waterford, Connecticut, United States
Verified facts
- Located in Goshen Point, Waterford
confidence 70/100 · 2 independent sources · SRC-1589, SRC-1590 - Designed by Lord & Hewlett
confidence 80/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1589, SRC-1591, SRC-6246, SRC-6247 - Built in 1907
confidence 80/100 · 4 independent sources · SRC-1589, SRC-1591, SRC-6248, SRC-6246 - Architectural style: Renaissance Revival
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1589, SRC-1591, SRC-3709 - Historic designation: National Register of Historic Places
confidence 75/100 · 3 independent sources · SRC-1589, SRC-1590, SRC-1591
Ownership history
Current owner — State of Connecticut
confidence 85/100 · SRC-1589, SRC-1590, SRC-3709
Previous owners
- Edward and Mary Harkness (1907–1950)
confidence 95/100 · SRC-3709, SRC-1591, SRC-7134, SRC-7135, SRC-10163
Evidence & sources
- SRC-10163 — Friends of Harkness — History of the Harkness Estate (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1589 — National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination Form: Eolia-The Harkness Estate (NRHP ref. 86003331) (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1590 — Harkness Memorial State Park – Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (Tier 1, official_archive; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-1591 — Harkness Memorial State Park – Wikipedia (Tier 3, encyclopedia; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-3709 — ct.gov (Tier 1, official_primary; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-5593 — Historic Barns of Connecticut (Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation) — Harkness Memorial State Park (Tier 2, reference; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6246 — Connecticut DEEP — Harkness Memorial State Park, History and Restoration (Tier 2, state government; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6247 — Buildings of New England — Harkness Estate, Eolia Mansion // 1908 (Tier 3, architectural history blog; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-6248 — ArtGeek — Eolia, The Mansion at Harkness State Park (Tier 3, museum directory; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7134 — Connecticut History (CT Humanities) — Harkness Memorial Park Offers a Glimpse into Early 20th Century Wealth (Tier 2, history organization article; retrieved June 2026)
- SRC-7135 — Ink Publications — Harkness Park, Summer at Eolia (Tier 3, regional magazine; retrieved June 2026)
How we verify
Every fact above is independently corroborated by at least two reputable sources and
confidence-scored before publication. Claims that cannot clear that bar are withheld. We show the
street address only for non-residential public landmarks (museums, commercial and civic buildings,
publicly documented filming-location sites); the exact addresses of private residences and any
personal information are structurally barred from publication. Last reviewed June 2026.
Plan Your Visit
Hours: Park open daily 8am-sunset. Eolia Mansion & gardens guided tours weekends/holidays Memorial Day-Labor Day, 10am-2pm (last tour 1:30pm); groups by appointment.
Admission: Park entry free for CT-registered vehicles; $10-$15 out-of-state vehicles (Memorial Day-Labor Day). Mansion docent tours offered by Friends of Harkness.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Eolia (The Harkness Estate)?
Yes — Eolia (The Harkness Estate) is open to the public on a limited basis. Hours: Park open daily 8am-sunset. Eolia Mansion & gardens guided tours weekends/holidays Memorial Day-Labor Day, 10am-2pm (last tour 1:30pm); groups by appointment.. Admission: Park entry free for CT-registered vehicles; $10-$15 out-of-state vehicles (Memorial Day-Labor Day). Mansion docent tours offered by Friends of Harkness..
Who designed Eolia (The Harkness Estate)?
Eolia (The Harkness Estate) was designed by Lord & Hewlett.
Where is Eolia (The Harkness Estate) located?
Eolia (The Harkness Estate) is located in Waterford, Connecticut.