The Register Citizen (Torrington, 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 following local organizations are hosting events on Saturday.
Barkhamsted
Squires Tavern, Free admission from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., offering refreshments and special history program.. See more at:
Bethlehem
The Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival Committee along with the Connecticut Society of Santas, present the “Christmas Town Festival Preview” providing the opportunity to take photos with “Santa on Vacation,” plus free face painting and crafts for children; from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Bristol
American Clock & Watch Museum, free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Barnes Nature Center, free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. In collaboration with other Bristol venues, this year “Museum Magic,” the Center’s “The Magic of Nature,” features nature activities including walks, crafts and live animals.
Bristol Historical Society, free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with the grand opening of the general store and the research library.
Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center, free admission for the first 100 visitors (provided by the City of Bristol), from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Memorial Military Museum, free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Theme for the day, “Museum Magic: Magic of Time Travel;” with free donuts and coffee served from a World War I canteen with accompanying stories of Salvation Army “Donut Girls.” In addition, there will be children’s activities, drawing for prizes, scavenger hunt and more.
Brookfield
Brookfield Craft Center, free reception from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., featuring a special showing of “Home and Away: The Photography of Colin Harrison.”
Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. At 10 a.m., baseball games with the cast and crew of “Damn Yankees.” At 2 p.m., join the improv team “17 Debacles” in improv games and rehearsal. At 7 p.m., learn a new holiday song from the “Christmas in July” event.
Canton
Collinsville Canoe & Kayak, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. visitors receive half off rentals.,
Merwinsville Hotel Restoration, free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Goshen
Sunset Meadows Vineyards. Open 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., offering a 10% discount of six bottles of wine and 15% discount of twelve bottles.
Thorncrest Farm & Milk House Chocolates. Free live farm demonstrations from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Harwinton
Harwinton Historical Society, free admission from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. to the barn museum and 1840s schoolhouse.
Kent
Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Museum, free admission from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Eric Sloane Museum, free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
New Hartford
Susan Rood Studio/ Open artist studio from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. with printmaking demonstrations and art exhibit. Part of Norfolk Artists & Friends Open Studio Tour.
Norfolk
Anita Holmes Home & Studio. Open artist studio from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with complimentary refreshments and offering 15% discount on all photographs.
Artisans Guild. Open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., with “Adundant Love” free workshop with Karen Rossi at 2 p.m., and other artisan demonstrations throughout the day.
Ronald Sloane Studio. Open artist studio from 8 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. (enter through the Showstring Antiques & Gallery front door). Offering a small drawing for $1 per each visitor.
Ruthann Olsson Interior Arts & Design. Open artist studio with showroom open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., offering complimentary refreshments.
Tom Hlas Art Studio. Open artist home with an artist talk, along with refreshments, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Plymouth
Plymouth Historical Society, free admission from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with an exhibit of items manufactured in Plymouth, along with a working 1852 steam engine.
Riverton
Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio/Gallery. Studio open from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., offering a free blow your own ornament workshop.
Visitors can leave their contact information in a bowl with a drawing at the end of day for a free workshop.
Sherman
Northrop House & Old Store. Open from noon until 4 p.m., with complimentary light refreshments.
Terryville
Lock Museum of America, free admission from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Thomaston
Railroad Museum of New England. Offering free tours of the restored train station and train rides for $10, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Shuttles to Facia’s Chocolates in Waterbury, departing 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Seth Thomas-Bradstreet House. Free tours from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Torrington
Cafe 38. From 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., visitors receive a free beverage with any lunch order.
Pursue the Clues. Up for a challenge? Pursue the Clues offers 60-minute, interactive experiences from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Spin the “discount wheel” for your personal discount.
Washington
H.O.R.S.E. of CT, Inc. Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Visitors have the opportunity to see the horses either in hand or under saddle in the outdoor ring.
Institute for American Indian Studies. Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., last admission at 4:30 p.m.
Winsted
Tina’s Baskets & Woven Arts. Open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., offering 20% off on one item.
Whiting Mills. Open artists’ studios from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., and for the first 10 visitor will receive a free tshirt or bag.
Woodbury
Abrash Galleries Rugs and Antiquities. Offering 20% off storewide from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Stop in for some complimentary refreshments to celebrate Connecticut Open House Day.
Ace Hardware of Woodbury. Open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., offering free popcorn.
Coop Antique & Consignment Shop. Guest receive 10% discount of purchases and light refreshments will be served.
Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden. Free admission from noon until 4 p.m.
Hurd House Museum & Barn. Free admission from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.; with demonstration of a variety of Colonial skills including blacksmithing, cooking, and sheep to shawl.
Maison St. Germain. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. visit the Middle Quarter in Woodbury, including Maison St. Germain during a Tent Sale. Maison St. Germain is offering door prizes, refreshments and a medium.
Mill House Antiques, LLC. Open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., offer a 15% discount on purchases throughout the day.
Put It Together, LLC. Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., offering 5%-10% off items in the store along with complimentary refreshments.