Join us for Open House Day on Saturday, June 9th. More than 175 Connecticut destinations from across the state are offering Connecticut residents discounted or free admission, free gifts or special exhibits and activities!
Open House Day is a great opportunity to not only go back to your favorite CT spots, but to also discover new destinations you may have never had a chance to check out before.
Scroll below to see all the great activities offered throughout Litchfield County and New Haven County. And click here to see a full list of all the special events and offerings across the state: http://bit.ly/IqQ86k
Local Activities in Litchfield County
- Southwind Farms, Watertown – Free admission to one of Connecticut’s largest alpaca farms from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Karen Rossi Studios, Norfolk – Free kids craft projects including rock painting, stick sculpture, and art from nature. Open studio from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
- Sharon Audubon Center, Sharon – Free admission for the Center’s building from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Birdwalk at 8 a.m., registration recommended but not necessary. Trails open from dawn until dusk.
- Bellamy-Ferriday House and Garden, Bethlehem – Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Rock Hall Luxe Lodging, Colebrook – From 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., tour the Addison Mizzen historical 23-acre property that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Light refreshments will be served.
- Sunset Meadows Vineyards, Goshen – From 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., visitors receive a complimentary Sunset Meadow Vineyards’ tote bag with a four bottle purchase.
- Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Museum, Kent – Free admission from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Complimentary gift upon request.
- Litchfield Historical Society, Litchfield – Free admission from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. While visiting, make a craft and try your hand at making homemade ice cream.
- New Milford Historical Society, New Milford – Free admission from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
- Norfolk Historical Museum, Norfolk – Free admission from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. with complimentary refreshments.
- Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio/Gallery, Riverton – Open to the public and no experience necessary. Glass blowing activities for adults and children (5 yrs. and up). Blow your own paperweight or glass flower ($48); blow your own ornament ($32). Studio open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Sharon Historical Society, Sharon – Free admission from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. A special artist-guided tour of the exhibit With My Back to the Future: Photography by Catherine Noren will be at 3 p.m., with a reception to follow.
- Seth Thomas-Bradstreet House, Thomaston – Free admission from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. with guide tours leaving every hour, last one at 2 p.m.
- Abrash Galleries, Woodbury – Offering 25 percent discount on all items storewide from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Artists’ Path Gallery, Litchfield – From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., visitors will receive a complimentary 8x10 print by artist Lori Barker.
- Gunn Memorial Museum, Washington – From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., visitors can take a complimentary tour of the exhibit: Art from the Earth: Early American Stoneware, featuring more than 140 pieces of uniquely decorated 18th and 19th century stoneware from throughout the Northeast.
- Miranda Vineyard, Goshen – From noon until 6 p.m. receive a complimentary Miranda Vineyard wine bag.
- Phoenix Rising Center, Thomaston – From noon until 6 p.m., this multi dimensional arts center will offer free demonstrations and refreshments.
- Pratt Nature Center, New Milford – From 10 a.m. until noon, visitors will get to meet the animals.
- Railroad Museum of New England, Thomaston – Receive a $1 discount off regular priced tickets on a scenic train ride. Plus, receive an 8-pack of RMNE postcards per family. Departs 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
- Squires Tavern, Barkhamsted – From 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., visitors receive complimentary refreshments and special program, “Photos of Pleasant Valley” slideshow at 1:30 p.m.
- Watertown Historical Society Museum, Watertown-- Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Exhibits by local artists with hand painted historical scenes of various places throughout the town.
- Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm, Sharon -- Visitors will receive a special discount on pick-your-own strawberries. Open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
- Harwinton Historical Society, Harwinton -- Free admission from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Visit the Barn Museum displaying an extensive collection of farm tools and the restored 1840 schoolhouse with original teacher’s desk, kerosene lamps, maps and other memorabilia. Demonstrations and light refreshments will be served.
Local Activities in New Haven County
- Guilford Art Center, Guilford – From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors will receive a 10 percent discount on shop purchases and 15 percent for members.
- Henry Whitfield Museum, Guilford – Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. “Puritans at Play,” all ages are invited to participate in games from the 17th century.
- Allis-Bushnell House, Madison – Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Costumed interpreters guide visitors through the 1785 home of Cornelius Bushnell. Each room in the historic house features a specific day and event in the history of Madison.
- Naugatuck Historical Society Museum, Naugatuck – Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. offering special activities and programs.
- New Haven Museum, New Haven – Free admission from noon until 5 p.m. offering a special family workshop “Sun Prints.”
- Pardee-Morris House, New Haven – Free admission from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. with Colonial games, arts and craft activities for the kids, all free of charge.
- Yale Center for British Art, New Haven – Open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Museum Shop offering a complimentary gift with every purchase. Enter a drawing for an exhibition publication of membership in the Yale Art museums.
- North Haven Historical Society, North Haven – From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. offering complimentary tours and refreshments. Also, free access to research materials including up to five copies made.
- Timexpo: The Timex Museum, Waterbury – Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Ward-Heitmann House Museum, West Haven – Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Beverly Kay Gallery, Woodbridge – From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., the first 50 visitors receive a complimentary Sotheby’s Folk Art and American catalogues, or a book of your choice from a certain selection.
- Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford – From 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. children can get their face painted, families take tractor rides around the vineyard, treats for children, and hourly raffles (1 p.m.-3 p.m.).
- Paradise Hills Vineyard and Winery, Wallingford – Vineyard opened from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. offering free hayrides through the vineyard and raffles.
- Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery, Guilford – From 8 a.m. until 7 p.m., sample complimentary products, kids receive a fun giveaway, and browse around the Farmer’s Market.
- Eli Whitney Museum, Hamden – From 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., offering special walk-in project “Micro Titanics” and “Micro Monitors” for children 5-12 years old.
- Osborne Homestead Museum, Derby – From 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., enjoy free tours of the Homestead, along with an outdoor history walk.
- West Haven Historical Society, West Haven -- Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Exhibits will feature the historical overview of West Haven public schools.
- Stone Schoolhouse Museum, Wolcott --Free admission from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. On site, antique appraiser (one appraisal $3, two for $5) along with a tag sale.
- Allis-Bushnell House, Madison -- Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Costumed interpreters guide visitors through the 1785 home of Cornelius Bushnell. Each room in the historic house features a specific day and event in the history of Madison.
- Elm City Artists Gallery LLC, New Haven— Gallery opened from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., offering discount coupons on original artwork, demonstrations by various artists, refreshments, and raffles.
- General David Humphreys House, Ansonia—Free admission all day.
- Hyland House Museum, Guilford—Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Offering a 25% discount off a set of ten original Hyland House note cards.
- Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven-- Open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., and offering a complimentary copy of the 2011 publication “Art, Lux, et Veritas.”
