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 Farmingtonwith 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 Farmingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Below are just some of the attractions that are not too far away:
AAA, Allied Group, Inc.
70 East Main St.
Avon, CT
(860) 409-2800
http://www.aaa.com
Offering complimentary TripTiks, tour books and maps.
Canton Historical Museum
11 Front St.
Collinsville, CT
(860) 693-2793
http://www.cantonmuseum.org
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m.
Grange Building & Fairgrounds
212 North Granby Rd.
(Rte. 189)
Granby, CT
(860) 653-6740
http://www.ctstategrange.org
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.
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.
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.
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.
Barnes Museum
85 North Main St.
Southington, CT
(860) 628-5426
http://www.southingtonlibrary.org
Free admission from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Southington Historical Society Museum
239 Main St.
Southington, CT
(860) 621-4811
http://www.southingtonhistory.org
From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., take a free guided tour of the museum featuring exhibits on the town’s history and Southington residents who participated in the Civil War.
AAA, Allied Group, Inc.
815 Farmington Ave.
West Hartford, CT
(860) 570-4372
http://www.aaa.com
Free battery checks for non-members and members from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., also offering complimentary TripTiks, tour books and maps.
