Curtiss House Will Participate In Connecticut Open House Day

Governor M. Jodi Rell has officially announced that on Saturday, June 14, Connecticut’s museums, cultural organizations, shops and lodging properties are opening their doors to the public during the fourth annual Connecticut Open House Day.

During this one-day event, sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism, the state attraction will offer a variety of special incentives such as discounted/free admission, free gifts and/or special exhibits and activities.

“More than 230 arts, history and tourism properties will be rolling out the welcome mat to visitors,” Governor Rell said.  “Admission will be either free or discounted at these nearby destinations. Families can save money on gas, stay in Connecticut and visit world-renowned museums, galleries, theaters and historic properties. Connecticut offers so many memorable experiences and we are encouraging families to get out and enjoy themselves.”

Among those participating in Connecticut Open House Day 2008 will be Newtown Historical Society and its Matthew Curtiss House. The circa 1750 house museum at 44 Main Street will be open from noon to 4 pm. Admission is free, and all visitors will be able to enjoy visits inside the house and its back yard and also view a special display of Indian artifacts that will be shown for the first time.

These artifacts consist in part of several trays of arrowheads and unmounted tools found both locally and in the mid- to far west. The points made of chert and flint are typical of Hudson Valley geology, and were commonly imported by tribes in this area, while the quartz implements are datable to the late archaic period of about 5,000-4,000 BC.

One of the more interesting objects is a rounded stone, probably from the North Carolina area, called a “chunkey.” It was a gaming stone, rolled along the ground to serve as a target for spear thrower, think of bocce with spears!

Additionally, there is a separate collection of pottery shards with impressed cord decoration, dug from a cave at Taunton Lake, that dates back to about 1,000-1,500 CE.  Another very small collection of artifacts on display was dug at Camelot Road in Newtown in the 1920s and ‘30s.

Costumed and trained docents will also offer tours of the house and its collections.

In addition, Town Historian Dan Cruson will lead a special walking tour of historic Main Street beginning at 1 pm.

This will be the first tour Mr Cruson has led along Main Street in several years and should be a highlight of the day. The tour will last approximately one hour, and will cover the history and architectural highlights of several of the outstanding buildings along the way, including the town’s own 18th Century meeting house which will be open for the walking tour.

The trip will start and end at the Matthew Curtiss House, and light refreshments will be available at the house following the tour.

The tour will be cancelled only in the event of severely inclement weather. The events at the Matthew Curtiss House will go on rain or shine.

In its fourth year, Connecticut Open House Day has grown from 120 participants in 2005 to more than 230 this year. Participants include museums, galleries, historic properties, Connecticut River ferries, theaters, farms, vineyards, amusement parks, nature centers, shops, hotels, inns and B&Bs.

“Connecticut Open House Day has become one of the state’s most popular events because residents and their visiting friends and families have the unique opportunity to discover these treasures and hidden gems at little or no cost,” Governor Rell said. “We want to raise awareness among Connecticut’s residents of all the state has to offer – from our world-class art and rich history to our outdoor adventures, family activities and opportunities for rest and relaxation. We also want to encourage them to become Connecticut Ambassadors who share their findings with visiting family and friends.”

To find out who is participating in Open House Day this year, visit the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism’s website at CultureAndTourism.org, and then click on the Open House Day logo. A complete list of everyone offering anything this year is available there.

For additional information call the CCCT at 860-256-2800. For information about Newtown Historical Society and its plans for CT Open House Day call 426-5937 or visit NewtownHistory.org.