Connecticut Open House Day at the Henry Whitfield State Museum

On June 8, during the ninth annual Connecticut Open House Day, the Henry WhitfieldState Museum in Guilford will celebrate Connecticut’s heritage by offering visitors the opportunity to experience 17th to 19th century toys and games, including bubble blowing and bubble wands.

 ‘Puritans at Play’ will be presented from 10 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is free all day to all visitors. Children and the young at heart can participate in a variety of games and activities, including hoop rolling, jacks, marbles, graces, trap ball and draughts (checkers). 

Visitors can also test their skills at knickerbox, a 17th century game in which players compete to roll the most marbles through arches at one end of a wooden box. 

Reproduction wooden bubble wands and clamshell bowls with straws will be available for making bubbles of all shapes, sizes and colors.  The wands will also be on sale in the museum shop so visitors can continue the fun at home.  

The Henry Whitfield House, built in 1639, is Connecticut’s oldest house, New England’s oldest stone house and a National Historic Landmark. It is open May 1 to December 15, Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.  The last tickets are sold at 4:00 pm each day.  Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and college students, $5 for children ages 6 to 17 and free for those 5 and under.  

School and group tours are available year round by appointment.  The museum is located at 248 Old Whitfield Street in Guilford (exit 58 off I-95).  Parking is free.  For more information, call (203) 453-2457, e-mail whitfieldmuseum@ct.gov or log on to www.cultureandtourism.org.

Press release submitted by the Henry Whitfield State Museum.