The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Get out and drop in for CT Open House Day
Where last weekend urged you to get outside for Connecticut Trails Day, this weekend’s Connecticut Open House Day urges you to come inside the state’s museums, theaters, galleries and historic sites.
Sponsored by the Connecticut Office of Tourism, CT Open House Day on Saturday is designed to showcase the state’s diverse offering of such establishments. Now in its 13th year, the special day encourages folks to discover Nutmeg State treasures and revisit old favorites with discounted or free admission, giveaways, special offers, hands-on activities for the kids and more. A few will also have an outdoor element on what is expected to be a nice weather day.
The list of 2017 Connecticut Open House Day participants and specials is posted at ctvisit.com. But here’s a sampling, starting in the Elm City:
The New Haven Museum on Whitney Avenue will be free from noon to 5 p.m. Yale’s two great museums in New Haven, the Yale Art Gallery and Center for British Art on Chapel Street, are usually free but the YCBA is offering docent-led tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and YUAG will have a highlights tour at 1:30 p.m.
Other places and offerings: BRANFORD Stony Creek Museum Musical entertainment from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. CHESHIRE Barker Character, Comic & Cartoon Museum Free admission from noon until 4 p.m. Cheshire Historical Society Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.; offering copies of “Reflections on the Canal,” a pamphlet on the original Farmington Canal which is now a linear walking path. CHESTER Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio & Gallery Noon until 6 p.m., 10 percent off purchases. Lori Warner Studio & Gallery Open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., “Exhibition Blue” artists will be on hand to discuss their work; refreshments will be served. Maple & Main Gallery of Fine Art Open from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., offering 10 percent off on paintings by Maple & Main artists. In addition, serving milk and chocolate chip cookies. CLINTON Adam Stanton House & Museum Free admission and guided tours through the 18th-century house, from noon until 4 p.m. Clinton Art Gallery Open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., offering a free lottery drawing for a piece of art or an artisan gift. Elisha White House Free house tours from noon until 4 p.m. Oldest brick building on the Boston Post Road. DURHAM Durham Fair Farm Museum Free admission, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. EAST HADDAM East Haddam Historical Society Museum Free admission and tours from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Goodspeed Opera House From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. (final tour 12:45 p.m.), enjoy free tours of the historic Victorian theater built in 1876. Staehly Farm Winery Farm market from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.; free concert with Victor Cowles at 1:30 p.m.; discounted wine tastings; and Tony’s Square Donuts food truck on site. GUILFORD Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery Open 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., free popcorn and balloons for kids. Dudley Farm Museum Free admission from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., along with ginger cookies, homemade switchell and weaving demonstrations. Henry Whitfield State Museum Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., toys and games from the 17th to the 19th century. Thomas Griswold House Museum Free admission 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. HAMDEN Eli Whitney Museum Open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Construct and sail a micro Fair Haven sharpie, a 4-inch model of New Haven’s contribution to New England maritime design. Guided tours of the Water Lab: “Ten Lessons to Learn from Water.” Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., art activity for children. IVORYTON Ivoryton Playhouse From 10 a.m. until noon, backstage tours of the historic theater, a history display and half-price adult tickets to the matinee at 2 p.m. MADISON Allis-Bushnell House Free docent-guided tours from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Deacon John Grave House Open 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. with free guided tours and hearth cooking demonstrations. MIDDLETOWN General Joseph Mansfield House Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wesleyan Potters From noon until 4 p.m., free tours and demonstrations, including pottery wheel throwing and fun activities for all ages. NEW BRITAIN New Britain Museum of American Art Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. ORANGE PEZ Visitor Center Adult guests $1 off regular admission, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. SHELTON Shelton Historical Society Free admission from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. SportsCenter of Connecticut One free activity per person from 9:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. WALLINGFORD Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery Open 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Price special on estate-grown Chardonnay. WEST HAVEN Ward-Heitmann House Museum Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. West Haven Historical Society Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m; free memento.