June 9, 2023
Connecticut Open House Day

This week's Musings from Main takes a quick look back at the many diverse ways the Friends' have celebrated CT Open House Day over the years.
We hope to see you!

CT Open House Day

For 19 years the State of Connecticut has held a statewide CT Open House Day event to celebrate the state’s wide variety of cultural attractions, natural beauty, and numerous adventure experiences, and for at least the last eight years the Friends have participated in the fun!   The event is intended to introduce, or re-introduce the states residents to the often time over looked gems in their own backyard.

Each year more than 200 exciting destinations and attractions, old and new from every corner of the state take part, and this year the Friends are offering special events at two of them, the Wood Memorial Library & Museum and Nowashe Village.

Previous CT Open House Day Events

In 2016, several generous and talented volunteer docents, introduced visitors to our varied and unique educational programming.  Pictured are Maureen and Jim Bourn delighting visitors with wagon rides down historic Main Street; Liz Pendleton demonstrating Indigenous life ways; and Mary Wilde introducing patrons to the history of the Hartford Audubon Society.

Book Launch

In 2017, we celebrated the publication of Images of America: South Windsor written by Friends' Archivist, Claire Lobdell, and had a scavenger hunt for the kids.

Images of America: South Windsor is available for purchase in our museum store.

Exhibits

In 2018, we celebrated with an exhibit of Albertus Jones' paintings on display in Wood Memorial Library & Museum. This year we will celebrate with the exhibit,  South Windsor Unearthed: Rarely Seen Indigenous Artifacts.

Artifact ID Day(s)

We have hosted several Artifact ID Days over the years, both at Wood Memorial Library & Museum and in Nowashe Village with special guests including current Connecticut State Archaeologist Dr. Sarah Sportman; former Connecticut State Archaeologist Dr. Brian Jones; and Connecticut State Archaeologist Emeritus, Dr. Nick Bellantoni.  This year we will welcome UCONN Archaeologist Dr. Kevin McBride and FOSA Excavation Field Supervisor Scott Brady.

Nowashe Village

In 2021 we welcomed Dylan Smith (Shinnecock/Montauk/Unkechaug Tribal Nations) to Nowashe Village to present on Indigenous Clothing & Personal Adornment in the Woodland Period.

2023 Events

This year we are holding events in both Wood Memorial Library and Museum and Nowashe Village.  Explore our "new" research library and catch a presentation on "Researching Local History" by Friends' Archivist, Leith Johnson at 1pm.  Discover "new" artifacts on display in the exhibit “South Windsor Unearthed: Rarely Seen Indigenous Artifacts”.  Learn about the amazing objects and artifacts found in our own back yards at this years Artifact ID Day.

We hope to see you!