Barrymore and Bristol Exhibit
January 6 - February 12, 2026
Visit Linden Place this winter for a special exhibit honoring the lives of Ethel Barrymore and her daughter Ethel Barrymore Colt Miglietta.
The exhibit will be on display in the Mansion and is included with the price of admission to the museum.
A series of vignettes in the mansion reflect a slice of American history told through the lens of these two extraordinary women who had a profound influence on Bristol and the American arts scene. On display will be artifacts from the archives of Linden Place, The Bristol Historical & Preservation Society, and Blithewold Manor that connect the Barrymore story to beloved Bristol symbols such as the Pastime Theater, the 4th of July Parade, and Colt Farm.
In the early 1900s, Ethel Barrymore became an American idol. Nicknamed "The First Lady of the American Theater," her career spanned five decades with more than 60 theatrical productions and more than 35 films. An Academy Award winning actress, Barrymore married Russell Colt, son of Colonel Samuel P. Colt, in 1909. Ethel and Russell's daughter, Ethel Colt Miglietta, also made a name for herself as an acclaimed actress and singer, appearing in the original cast of Stephen Sondheim's Follies and the televised production of Die Fledermaus. In 1960, Ethel Miglietta inherited one quarter ownership of Linden Place. While in residence, she taught lessons in the parlor on her grandfather's piano, sang with the choir at Mt. Carmel Church, and helped establish the Bristol Art Museum.
Join us at Rogers Free Library for a free screening of Ethel Barrymore's Oscar-winning performance in "None But The Lonely Heart" opposite Cary Grant.
Doors open at 1:30 PM to "walk the red carpet" - 1940s fashion encouraged but not required.
The movie will begin at 2 PM and has a two hour runtime.
Admission: Free
Special Events
Join us for special events to complement the exhibit. Find details and ticket information for each event below. Registration links will be posted soon.
Join us in the historic ballroom at Linden Place for a talk with author Kathleen Spaltro about her new biography of Ethel Barrymore, Shy Empress of the Footlights.
Choose a combination ticket to attend a Meet & Greet with the author in the Mansion. The Meet & Greet includes a Bellini cocktail and time to explore the Barrymore exhibit in the Mansion before the author talk in the ballroom.
Registration required.
Author Talk only:
Linden Place Members: $15
General Admission: $20
Combination ticket (Meet & Greet and Author Talk)
Linden Place Members: $25
General Admission: $30
Join us in the Linden Place Ballroom as we honor Ethel Colt Miglietta, world-renowned actress and singer.
Inspired by Ethel's 1974 benefit concert for the Bristol Art Museum called "Songs of the American Theatre" that was given at Colt School Auditorium, this concert presents music of the American theatre from the 1920s - 1970s.
Boston-based musical theatre and cabaret artists Francis Garner and Tristyn Sepersky join with accompanist Samantha Prindiville and opera singer Cara Massey to celebrate the music Ethel loved so much.
Registration required.
Linden Place Members: $20
General Admission: $25
Thank you to our partners!
We are grateful for the partnership and support of Blithewold, the Bristol Art Museum, Bristol Historical and Preservation Society, Rogers Free Library and the Smith Family Fund in the creation of this exhibit and its related programming.