2011 Connecticut Open House Day: Free events throughout the state
Connecticut's Open House Day is typically the second weekend of June; museums and other cultural organzations around the state open their doors with free activities. The list of all participants is available at the Connecticut Commission of Culture and Tourism. This is the list for 2011.
- Northwestern CT
Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Museum: Free admission to the annual Gem, Jewelry and Mineral Show from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Sloane-Stanley Museum and Kent Furnace: Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. with tinsmithing demonstrations.
Sherman Historical Society: Free guided tours from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., with tea and cookies served in the dining room.
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden: Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Watertown Historical Society Museum & Schoolhouse: Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., with on-site historian to answer any inquiries and visitors will receive a 10 percent discount on all sale items.
General David Humphreys House: Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tours offered include historic Elm Street, house and cemetery tours. Focusing on veterans “Thank you for your service,” with uniforms and war memorablia, visit with Reverend and Mrs. Humphreys and Lt. Colonel David Humphreys. Refreshments will be served.
- Southern Fairfield County
Stamford Museum & Nature Center: Free admission for the first 100 visitors from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens: Free admission from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Bruce Museum: Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Rowayton Historical Society: Free admission from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., site part of the Norwalk Quilt Trail.
Norwalk Historical Society: Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., site part of the Norwalk Quilt Trail.
Norwalk Museum: Free admission from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children: Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the first 100 visitors.
Fairfield Museum and History Center: Free admission from noon until 4 p.m.
Ogden House: Free admission from noon until 4 p.m.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo: Free admission for the first 100 visitors from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m
Shelton History Center: Free admission from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- New Haven
International Festival of Arts & Ideas: On this day, beginning at 10 a.m., free events include walking tours, bike tours, children’s film festival and the Silk Road Ensemble with artistic director Yo-Yo Ma opens the festival with a free concert at 7 p.m.
New Haven Museum: Free admission from 12 noon until 5 p.m.
Yale Center for British Art: Enjoy the Children’s Film Festival at 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., which are all complimentary and open to the public. Center open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and has free admission.
- At the Capital
Amistad Center for Art & Culture at the Wadsworth Atheneum: 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.
Butler-McCook House & Garden: Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Connecticut Historical Society & Museum: Free admission from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Connecticut’s Old State House: 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: 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 Base Ball Grounds at Colt Meadows: 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.
Mark Twain House & Museum: 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.