Historical Society Will Participate In CT Open House Day

The Matthew Curtiss House, which serves as the headquarters for Newtown Historical Society, will be open for Connecticut Open House Day from 1 to 4 pm.

Attractions and cultural organizations across the state will open their doors and offer special incentives to state residents on Saturday, June 9, when Connecticut Open House Day returns for the third time.

Residents can create their own one-day Connecticut getaway during Connecticut Open House Day. More than 180 cultural organizations and attractions will invite state residents to discover and enjoy Connecticut’s rich arts scene, history, film industry and tourist offerings with a variety of special incentives — discounted or free admission, free gifts, etc.

The unique one-day event is sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism (CCCT), in partnership with the state’s five tourism regions, to raise awareness among Connecticut’s residents of all the state has to offer — from world-class art and history museums to outdoor adventures, family activities and opportunities for rest and relaxation — and to encourage them to become ambassadors who share their findings with visiting family and friends.

“This event provides the perfect opportunity for Connecticut residents to see an attraction for the first time or revisit or introduce a favorite site to friends or family,” said Karen Senich, acting executive director of the Commission on Culture & Tourism. “Residents are able to discover, or rediscover, Connecticut’s treasures at little or no cost, which is why this event continues to significantly grow each year.”

Connecticut Open House Day participants include museums, galleries, historic properties, theaters, farms, vineyards, and nature centers throughout the state. In its third year, this event has grown from 120 participants in 2005 to more than 180 this ear.

Connecticut Open House Day specials and hours of operation vary by property.

For more information, including a complete list of participating venues (updated daily) visit CTVisit.com or call Jean Hebert at 860-256-2739.

CCCT brings together tourism, film, history, and the arts. Its mission is to preserve and promote Connecticut’s cultural and tourism assets in order to enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the state. Its office is located at One Financial Plaza, 755 Main Street in Hartford. For more information, visit CultureAndTourism.org.

The Wheelmen In Newtown

On Saturday, Newtown Historical Society will host a visit by The Wheelmen. The group had planned to visit Newtown in April but were rained out at the time.

Connecticut members of The Wheelman (a group with chapters across the country) will be on hand Saturday afternoon to talk about their organization, which is dedicated to keeping alive the heritage of American cycling through riding and restoration of early cycles — 1918 or earlier. To spread the word, Wheelman give demonstrations, talks, ride in parades, and go on bicycle tours across the country.

The Connecticut chapter is led by state captain Jim Spillane III of Madison.

The Wheelman will demonstrate, in costumes, some of their fascinating old bicycles at 2 in the Newtown Savings Bank parking lot. They will also be present at the Matthew Curtiss house all afternoon. In addition to talking of the variety of their bicycles and the history of bicycling and of the Wheelman, the cyclists will try to help with restoration advice.

“Anyone who has ever liked riding a bicycle should really enjoy this Wheelman afternoon,” commented Gordon Williams, Newtown Historical Society’s program chairman.

For additional information leave a message on the historical society’s answering machine, 426-5937, or send an email to Mr Spillane at JFSpillane3@earthlink.net.