A rare opportunity to see inside the historic 1864 Lyman Homestead and hear highlights from the family's heritage on the land since 1741 will be offered by Lyman Orchards on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd at 11am & 12:15pm.

Free guided tours of several rooms of the Homestead will include a brief overview of eight generations of Lymans, with a focus on David Lyman (1820 - 1871), who used a fortune earned from manufacturing washing machines and wringers in Middlefield to build the grand Homestead at 3 Lyman Road.

These tours will take place at 11am and 12:15pm, and last about 45 minutes. They will be guided by historian, Diana Ross McCain, author of six books on Connecticut history,  including Thy Children's Children, a historical novel based on the true story of the first five generations of the Middlefield Lymans. The Homestead will also be open for free from 1pm-2pm for walk-in visitors.

Copies of Thy Children's Children will be on sale for $24.95 at the Homestead. Diana McCain will autograph copies during the event.

The 24-room Lyman Homestead is on the National Register of Historic Places and on Connecticut's Freedom Trail. It was home to Lyman family members from 1864-1999, and today is available to rent for private events.

Reservations are required for the tours, which will be limited to 15 people each. No reservations needed to come for walk-in visitors from 1pm-2pm