Governor’s Residence Announces Holiday Open House Schedule

Hartford — Governor M. Jodi Rell has announced the schedule for the Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence, 990 Prospect Avenue.

The Holiday Open House at the Governor’s Residence begins on Friday, December 3. Admission is free. The governor will greet guests beginning at 10 am.

The open house continues through Sunday, December 5. The hours are 10 am to 3 pm on Friday and Saturday and noon to 3 pm on Sunday. Entertainment during the open house will include the following performances: Greater Middletown Chorale, Friday, 11 am to 1 pm; First Church of Bloomfield Gospel Choir, Friday, 1 pm to 2 pm; Connecticut Opera, Saturday, 11 am to noon; Manchester Chorale, Sunday, 1 pm to 2 pm.

The holiday decorations for the Governor’s Residence are being provided this year by the Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association, the Connecticut Florists Association, the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association, and the Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association. For the first time, the residence sunroom will feature a large tree form made out of 72 white poinsettia plants. Additional decorations will include fresh-cut trees and holiday greens, decorative ribbons, ornaments and arrangements. This marks the 14th year these organizations will graciously decorate the residence.

Lux, Bond & Green will be decorating the formal dining room table.

The Governor’s Residence Open House is also a collection site for toys and holiday gift items that will benefit children in need up to age 17. Visitors to the residence during the open house can drop off a new, unwrapped toy.

The residence is a historic Georgian Revival-style home built in 1909 that has served the state’s governors since 1945. The Governor’s Residence is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A special collector’s item ornament will be available for purchase, with the proceeds to benefit the Governor’s Residence Conservancy.