Three State-Owned Museums To Reopen With Abbreviated Schedules On September 11

Connecticut’s new Commission on Arts, Tourism, Culture, History and Film announces the re-opening of three state-owned museums to the public beginning Thursday, September 11. The Henry Whitfield State Museum in Guilford and the Sloane-Stanley Museum in Kent will be open Thursday through Sunday. The Prudence Crandall Museum in Canterbury will be open Wednesday through Sunday.

These museums, as well as Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine in East Granby, which is slated to open again next spring, have been closed to the public since February as a result of the state’s budget crisis.

The Henry Whitfield State Museum is about to celebrate its 100th birthday as a state museum. Acquired for its historical significance as the oldest stone house in New England, it opened to the public in 1904. The permanent collection includes an important set of early colonial furniture and other rare artifacts, such as the clock which kept time for the town of Guildford for nearly 170 years in the steeple of the congregational church.

Also, after seven years in storage, the 1812 cannon is back on display in front of the Visitor Center on its newly restored gun carriage. The Visitor Center exhibit “Bicentennial Beacon: Faulkner’s Island Lighthouse, 1802-2002” has been held over by popular demand.

In recognition of Canterbury’s tercentenary, the Prudence Crandall Museum has organized a special exhibit, “Canterbury Celebrates Three Hundred Years,” in cooperation with the town historical society. Also on view is the award-winning exhibit “Equality Under the Law? The Ongoing Struggle for Equal Opportunity.” A new exhibit, “…To Get A Little More Learning,” concerning the education of all girls in early 19th Century, opens October 12, and a related publication will be available for sale.

The Sloane-Stanley Museum, which features the antique tool collection and artwork of Eric Sloane, is proud to announce the gift of a new painting titled “New England in February.” The painting was included in the last gallery showing of Eric Sloan’s work, which opened days before his fatal heart attack.

The Kent museum includes Sloane’s studio, moved to this location in 1986, and visitors can see his painting materials and easel just as he left them.

For most of the 19th Century, the site of the museum operated as the Kent Iron Works. The remains of a hot blast furnace, the only visible relic of the once successful business, was recently stabilized so it can be more fully experienced by visitors.

Additional information about museum exhibits, hours, and admission prices can be obtained by contacting the Commission’s Historic Preservation and Museum Office at 860-566-3005.