Bethel’s newest museum, the historic 1822 Hastings Homestead on Broad Street, will open for tours Thursday, June 25.

Five generations of the same family lived at the homestead telling a story of change over time as family members redecorated and updated the house while leaving many furnishings and interior arrangements unchanged. Of particular note are the numerous 19th-century wallpapers, floor coverings, furnishings, mineral collections and paintings.

Tour groups will be limited to no more than four people and must be arranged by appointment at by calling 207-824-2291 or emailing [email protected]. The cost is $10 per person, which goes directly toward preservation of the National Historic site.

“This has been a long time coming, and I know former Bethel Historical Society Director Stan Howe would be pleased, knowing that his plans for a ‘preservation house’ open to the public had come to fruition,” said Executive Director Emeritus Randall Bennett, who serves as operations manager, secretary and clerk of the trustees for the Hastings Homestead Museum.

In a history of the house, Bennett said, “Undoubtedly, the Homestead and its neighboring museum houses will become known as Bethel’s ‘Museum Row’ — in many ways a miniature version of Historic Deerfield, with three adjacent early nineteenth century structures open to the public that will feature changing local and regional exhibits, recreated period rooms, and a unique ‘study house’ occupied by five generations of the same family.”