Community Corner
7th Annual Connecticut Open House Day
More than 200 museums and organizations will participate on Saturday.
Free admission, discounts, gifts, special exhibits and activities are some of the perks you may find at many museums, shops and cultural venues throughout the state during the 7th Annual Connecticut Open House Day on June 11.
The event is sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism and is held to highlight what the state has to offer. Cultural organizations aren't the only places participating - there are family and outdoor activity venues as well as lodging.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy encourages everyone to take advantage of Open House Day, stating that the event is a great way to begin the busy summer tourism season.
Find out what's happening in Tollandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"Connecticut Open House Day is a great way to offer something extra special to residents so they can get out and have fun right here at home," Malloy said in a May 31 press release.
Connecticut Open House Day events and hours vary by venue, so be sure to visit www.ctvisit.com for a full list of the over 200 participating attractions.
Find out what's happening in Tollandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Below are just some of the attractions that are not too far away:
Willow Tree Pottery
24 Bebbington Rd.
Ashford, CT
(860) 287-8056
http://www.willowtreepottery.us
Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. featuring wheel-thrown stoneware for the kitchen and garden, visit the kiln and studio. Special guest is Gretchen Geromin, a pyrographic artist. Each visitor will receive a handmade amulet.
Nathan Hale Homestead
2299 South St.
Coventry, CT
(860) 742-6917
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m.
Song-a-Day Music Center
2809 Boston Tpke.
(Rte. 44)
Coventry, CT
(860) 742-6878
From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., visitors receive in-house specials, with live musical performances by the students and drawing for musical items; refreshments for visitors.
Faith Lutheran Church
1120 Silver Lane
East Hartford, CT
(860) 569-2037
http://www.faithlutheranct.org
From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., take a complimentary, explanatory tour of 17 handmade stained-glass windows.
Connecticut Trolley Museum
58 North Rd. (Rte. 140)
East Windsor, CT
(860) 627-6540
From 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., visitors receive half-price off regular admission.
AAA, Allied Group, Inc.
109 Elm St.
Grange Building & Fairgrounds
212 North Granby Rd. (Rte. 189)
Granby, CT
(860) 653-6740
From noon until 5 p.m., free tours of the historic building celebrating 100 years, featuring original wood paneling and a stage, along with agricultural and grange information.
Amistad Center for Art & Culture at the Wadsworth Atheneum
600 Main St.
Hartford, CT
(860) 838-4122
http://www.amistadartandculture.org
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is Juneteenth Family Day offering a variety of "edutainment," performances by local talent, art workshops and activities. A great opportunity to reflect, learn and enjoy.
Bushnell Park Carousel
at Jewell & Trinity Sts.
Hartford, CT
(860) 585-5411
http://www.thecarouselmuseum.org
Free ride for the first 100 visitors.
Butler-McCook House & Garden
396 Main St.
Hartford, CT
(860) 522-1806
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Connecticut Historical Society & Museum
One Elizabeth St.
Connecticut Science Center
250 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT
(860) SCIENCE
Visitors receive a $2 discount for up to four people when they mention Connecticut Open House Day. Center open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Connecticut’s Old State House
800 Main St.
Hartford, CT
(860) 522-6766
http://www.ctoldstatehouse.org
Free admission from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is History Day with Connecticut students performing in the afternoon and view the exhibit highlighting students’ projects from 2011 State History Day.
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
77 Forest St.
Hartford, CT
(860) 522-9258
http://www.harrietbeecherstowe.org
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Join in the celebration of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 200th birthday. A party befitting a 200th birthday, featuring house tours, a community art project, music, horse and carriage rides, readings from Uncle Tom’s Cabin in multiple languages, 19th century lawn games, costumed historic characters, painting in the garden, birthday cake and more.
Hartford Baseball Grounds at Colt Meadows
8 Hendricxsen Ave.
Hartford, CT
(860) 324-4587
http://www.friendsofvintagebaseball.org
Watch a 1860s-era base ball game, one begins at 10:30 a.m., another at 12:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic and enjoy the game and get a $1.00 off the price of a vintage soda pop.
Real Art Ways
56 Arbor St.
Hartford, CT
(860) 232-1006
Free admission to the gallery from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Watermark Press
30 Arbor St.
Suite 205
Hartford, CT
(860) 233-2286, (860) 930-5491
From 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., visitors have the opportunity to learn about safe non-toxic printmaking for all ages. Materials are provided to make their original art print. Complimentary refreshments and visitors will receive a discount coupon for future classes.
Mark Twain House & Museum
351 Farmington Ave.
Hartford, CT
(860) 247-0998
A day of free activities for the entire family. The grounds, indoors and out, will be filled with a variety of Hartford area arts and cultural organizations. Kids of all ages will enjoy the theater, music, dance, storytelling, Museum Center and more. Tours of the Mark Twain House will be available for regular admission.
Free battery checks for non-members and members from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., also offering complimentary TripTiks, tour books and maps.
Cheney Hall
177 Hartford Rd.
Manchester, CT
(860) 647-9824
From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., take a free tour of the historic theater, now home to Little Theater of Manchester.
Cheney Homestead
106 Hartford Rd.
Manchester, CT
(860) 647-9983
http://www.manchesterhistory.org
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Lutz Children’s Museum
247 South Main St. (Rte. 83)
Manchester, CT
(860) 643-0949
Free admission from noon until 5 p.m.
Manchester History Center
175 Pine St.
Manchester, CT
(860) 647-9983
http://www.manchesterhistory.org
Free admission from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Old Manchester Museum
Manchester Historical Society
126 Cedar St.
Manchester, CT
(860) 647-9983
http://www.manchesterhistory.org
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Heublein Tower
Talcott Mountain State Park
Rte. 185
Simsbury, CT
(860) 677-0662
http://www.ct.gov/dep/stateparks
The Great Park Pursuit Outdoor Recreation Challenge is a year-round adventure that encourages Connecticut’s families to experience the fun of the outdoors in the state parks and forests. To begin your adventure, you need a Challenge Passport (www.ct.gov/ncli/cwp/view.asp?a=4009&q=475316&ncliNav_GID=2030). When you visit and complete an activity (biking, birding, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, letterboxing, etc.) simply stamp your passport. Park hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Simsbury Historical Society & Phelps Tavern Museum
800 Hopmeadow St. (Rte. 10)
Simsbury, CT
(860) 658-2500
http://www.simsburyhistory.org
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m.
Welles Shipman Ward House
972 Main St.
South Glastonbury, CT
(860) 633-4572
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
Shenipsit State Forest
166 Chestnut Hill Rd.
Stafford Springs, CT
(860) 684-3430
http://www.ct.gov/dep/stateparks
The Great Park Pursuit Outdoor Recreation Challenge is a year-round adventure that encourages Connecticut’s families to experience the fun of the outdoors in the state parks and forests. To begin your adventure, you need a Challenge Passport (www.ct.gov/ncli/cwp/view.asp?a=4009&q=475316&ncliNav_GID=2030). When you visit and complete an activity (biking, birding, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, letterboxing, etc.) simply stamp your passport. Park hours are 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
William Benton Museum of Art
University of Connecticut
245 Glenbrook Rd.
Storrs, CT
(860) 486-4520
From 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m, visitors receive a free Mary Cassatt poster.
Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden
55 South Main St. (Rte. 75)
Suffield, CT
(860) 668-0055
Free admission from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Old Tolland County Courthouse
53 Tolland Green
Tolland, CT
(860) 870-9599
http://www.tollandhistorical.org
At 1 p.m., a presentation of a cemetery and Civil War veterans’ tribute at the East Center Cemetery featuring Ruthie Shapleigh-Brown of the Connecticut Gravestone network. Free admission to museum and demonstration. Museum open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Old Tolland County Jail & Museum
52 Tolland Green
Tolland, CT
(860) 870-9599
http://www.tollandhistorical.org
At 1 p.m., a presentation of a cemetery and Civil War veterans’ tribute at the East Center Cemetery featuring Ruthie Shapleigh-Brown of the Connecticut Gravestone network. Free admission to museum and demonstration. Museum open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
AAA, Allied Group, Inc.
815 Farmington Ave.
West Hartford, CT
(860) 570-4372
Free battery checks for non-members and members from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., also offering complimentary TripTiks, tour books and maps.
Captain James Francis House
120 Hartford Ave.
Wethersfield, CT
(860) 529-7656
Free admission form 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tour the historic home that is very rarely open to the public.
Cove Warehouse
North end of Main St. at Wethersfield Cove
Wethersfield, CT
(860) 529-7656
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Hurlbut-Dunham House
212 Main St.
Wethersfield, CT
(860) 529-7656
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum
211 Main St.
Wethersfield, CT
(860) 529-0612
http://www.webb-deane-stevens.org
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., visitors receive a 50 percent off the regular price admission of the museum’s three house tour. Tours leave every hour.
Wethersfield Museum at Keeney Memorial Cultural Center
200 Main St.
Wethersfield, CT
(860) 529-7161
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Residence Inn
100 Dunfey Lane
Windsor, CT
(860) 688-7474
Receive a 10 percent discount off any reservation made on and for June 11, 2011.
New England Air Museum
Bradley International Airport
36 Perimeter Rd. (off Rte. 75)
Windsor Locks, CT
(860) 623-3305
From 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., purchase one admission, get one free (higher price prevails), for Connecticut residents only.
