Celebrate Connecticut Open House Day in Middlesex County 2025

The Bushnell House and Carriage House located at 121 South Main St. in Westbrook will be open 10am - 2pm. Come see a spinning wheel demonstration and fiber exhibit and learn how flax and cotton are processed into thread and yarn. An interpreter will discuss Native American hunting and fishing tools on display. The Westbrook Garden Club will have a member to answer questions about the Bushnell's house newly planted kitchen garden. On display in the carriage house will be art, sculptures and memorabilia originating from  the local artist community that operated during 1950’s and 1960’s at the Westbrook Gallery owned by Aage Hogfeldt. The book Westbrook History Happenings and Hearsay will be offered at a discounted rate.

Stuck while researching your Connecticut ancestor? Charter Oak Genealogy is offering 4 free 30 minute consults from 10-12. Consults can be reserved in advance by emailing [email protected].

The Clinton Art Gallery will be offering 10% off the entire gallery (other than the art show in the classroom) to all guests.

The Museum of Fife & Drum will be participating by offering free admission between 11 AM and 4 PM. Come on down and see what you have been missing!

The Company of Fifers & Drummers was established to : 

1. perpetuate the historical significance and folk traditions of fife and drum music
2. Encourage the development of young fifers and drummers
3. Establish a permanent Archives and Museum to chronicle the development of fife and drum
4. Identify, collect, and preserve historical artifacts including instruments, music manuscripts, uniforms and photos
 

The Company has extended the boundaries of the fife and drum community, known as the Ancients, far beyond New England. Their roster lists corps and individuals all across the United States and in Europe.
 

Free Admission for the first 50 visitors.

20% Discount off normal prices for the 1 Hour Steam Train Excursion and the 2.5 Hour Steam Train & Riverboat Excursions on Saturday June 14, 2025

Free admittance to the Godfrey Memorial Library genealogical research center. We'll give you a tour of our facility and show you how to get started researching your ancestors.

Free admission to the Strawberry Festival at Lyman Orchards! Enjoy live music, free community yoga class, participate in our kids and adult pie eating contest, and more!

Pratt House will be open for FREE guided tours to the public the weekend of June 14th and 15th.  Inside the home, in addition to our regular tour, will be showcasing a new exhibit about blacksmithing-the trade that sustained the home's residents for nine generations.

As part of Open House Day we will also offer a walk the the Pratt Smithy two doors down (now a private residence) for some "now and then" image sharing.

Free Admission to the Thankful Arnold House Museum and Garden from 12 noon to 4 pm. Games, scavenger hunt and demonstrations.

The Westbrook Historical Society Museum located on the town green at 1196 Boston Post Road will be open 10am - 2pm. The museum houses artifacts and a research center that tells the story of Westbrook. This year a doll collection will be featured with dolls dating from the 1830's to 1960's. The book Westbrook History Happenings and Hearsay will be offered at a discounted rate.