If you or your family are fascinated by history, you might be surprised by how many museums and historical sites there are within a short drive in Connecticut, and on Saturday, June 10, many of those places have discounts, free offers and even free admission. Take advantage.
Whether your interests are in colonial or 19th century houses, early technology (or even later technology), aircraft, trains, old farms, historical figures, the Revolutionary War or later wars, there’s a day trip you can take (and in some cases a much shorter trip) to a museum in Connecticut.
You can combine visits to these sites with others nearby and even with other historic places and museums not listed here (or with things your kids can do or with art museum visits). There are lots of possibilities here to tailor your trip to your interests.
- This article is only meant to pique your interest. You can find out about more places to go in Connecticut at the Visit CT state tourism website.
- See also: On June 10, Save a Little on a Connecticut Day Trip (or Shorter Visit) with Your Kids (May 30)
And you can borrow a history (or historical fiction) audiobook from Darien Library, even online, to keep you in the mood during your trip.
FAIRFIELD COUNTY & A BIT BEYOND
With these nearby sites, you can save on gas (and time), while you’re at it.
Ansonia
- David Humphreys House
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. From the website: “The Humphreys House is the birthplace of the Revolutionary War officer and friend of George Washington who later became our nation’s first ambassador. […] Today, Humphreys House serves as the headquarters of the Derby Historical Society. It has been restored to its mid eighteenth century appearance, incorporating elements of Lower Naugatuck Valley history from the pre-colonial, colonial, revolutionary, and federal periods.”
Bethel
- Bethel Historical Society
Free admission noon until 5 p.m., with a presentation by Bethel’s town historian.
Danbury
- Danbury Museum & Historical Society
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Fairfield
- Fairfield Museum and History Center
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
From the website: Enjoy a Community Day of free activities and the opening of the new exhibitions on the Museum Commons.
— American Battlefield Protection Program / The Pequot War: 10am – 12:30pm. Learn more about the American Battlefield Protection Project to identify and preserve Native American battlefields, with David Naumec and Ashley Bissonette with the Mashantucket Pequot Museum. Following the presentation, learn about archaeology and how to dig for artifacts in shovel test pits near the museum building. All ages are encouraged to assist, minimum age 5 years old!
— Documentary Screenings: CT in the 1960s, 1pm and Ocean Frontiers III, 2pm.
Sun Tavern Tours: 11am and 1pm with Bill Lee, former Fairfield Town Historian
— Victorian Cottage & Barn: Hands-On Activities 11am – 2pm
— Victorian Cottage: Women in History Presentation & Activities with National Honor Society students from Fairfield Warde High School
- Ogden House & Garden
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
From the website: Step inside the Ogden House and experience how the Ogden Family lived in 18th century Fairfield. Museum Docents will lead guided tours giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look inside this New England saltbox house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Outside in the Colonial Kitchen Garden, learn about colonial era plants, the importance of beekeeping and take part in garden activities led by the Fairfield Garden Club. The Ogden House honey bee project includes apiaries located in Oak Lawn Cemetery that produce honey from the plants and flowers surrounding the Ogden House.
Nearby learn about the experiences of the militia during the American Revolution with costumed historical interpreters and a soldier’s encampment. See what a soldier had to carry, what a wool uniform might feel like, and practice a militia drill formation. Hear engaging stories of how soldiers faced hardships and survived during this important time in American history.
Greenwich
- Greenwich Historical Society
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m. Program features “The Doubtful Sprout,” a performance by Liz Joyce and a Couple of Puppets begins at 1 p.m. Make your own puppet throughout the day, visit the “Jim and Jane Henson: Creative Work, Creative Play” exhibit; take tours of the historic site at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Norwalk
- Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
Open from noon until 4 p.m. From the website: Explore the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum on Connecticut Open House Day for a reduced price of $3. The Mansion will offer mini-tours of its magnificent Period Rooms and its current exhibits: Wedding Traditions and Fashion from the 1860s to the 1930s and Right Angle Bliss. - Mill Hill Historical Park
Free admission from noon until 5:30 p.m.
Shelton
- Shelton Historical Society
Free admission from 110:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
From the website: Shelton History Center now consists of the one room Trap Fall School, a carriage barn housing a collection of horse drawn vehicles, a corncrib and an outhouse, in addition to the c. 1822 Brownson House and 19th century Wilson Barn.
Stratford
- Stratford Historical Society
Free admission from noon until 3 p.m.
Westport
- Westport Historical Society
Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., offering 10% discount on items in the gift shop and on view is “The High School that Rocks.”
NEAR WATERBURY or NORTH or NORTHEAST CT
Route 7 or Route 8
Bristol
- Memorial Military Museum
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Theme for the day, “Museum Magic: Magic of Time Travel;” with free donuts and coffee served from a World War I canteen with accompanying stories of Salvation Army “Donut Girls.” In addition, there will be children’s activities, drawing for prizes, scavenger hunt and more.
Kent
- Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Museum
Free admission from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. - Eric Sloane Museum
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Plymouth
- Plymouth Historical Society
Free admission from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with an exhibit of items manufactured in Plymouth, along with a working 1852 steam engine.
Terryville
- Lock Museum of America
Free admission from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
Thomaston
- Railroad Museum of New England
Offering free tours of the restored train station and train rides for $10, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Shuttles to Facia’s Chocolates in Waterbury, departing 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.
Washington
- Institute for American Indian Studies
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., last admission at 4:30 p.m.
ALONG THE COAST
Near I-95, from New Haven to New London
Clinton
- 3 Liberty Green B&B
The bed and breakfast will be open from noon until 4 p.m. and offering light refreshments and tours of the property. - Adam Stanton House & Museum
Free admission and guided tours through the 18th century house and general store, from noon until 4 p.m. - Elisha White House
Free house tours from noon until 4 p.m. Oldest brick building on the Boston Post Road, also known as “Old Brick.”
Guilford
- Dudley Farm Museum
Free admission from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., along with ginger cookies, homemade switchell, and weaving demonstrations. - Henry Whitfield State Museum
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. “Puritans at Play”: enjoy toys and games from the 17th to the 19th century. - Hyland House Museum
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. - Medad Stone Tavern Museum
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. - Thomas Griswold House Museum
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Hamden
- Eli Whitney Museum
Open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Construct and sail a micro Fair Haven sharpie, a 4” model of New Haven’s contribution to New England maritime design. Plus, guided tours of the Water Lab: “Ten Lessons to Learn from Water.” - Ireland’s Great Hunger Museum
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., offering a free art activity for children and families.
New London
- Custom House Maritime Museum
Open from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., offering reduce admission to $5, or $7 (for two); and 10% discount off purchases in the Museum Shop. - Hempsted Houses
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m. Celebrate Juneteenth Day with storytelling, drumming, gospel music, dance and a dash of history. - Monte Cristo Cottage
Free tours from noon until 4 p.m., to the boyhood home of Nobel Prize-winning playwright Eugene O’Neill. - Shaw Mansion
Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., offering reduced membership prices and 20% discount off publications.
Niantic
- Samuel Smith House
Free tours of the historic farmstead from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Visit with the live animals, watch the bee hives and walk around the native plants; refreshments. - Smith-Harris House Museum
From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., enjoy refreshments and meet the 19th century home’s residents. Games on the lawn for the young and the young at heart. - Thomas Lee House
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., with house and schoolhouse tours, hands-on activities and historical exhibits.
Madison
- Allis-Bushnell House
Free docent guided tours from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., serving light refreshments. - Deacon John Grave House
The 1685 house open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. with free guided tours and hearth cooking demonstrations preparing tasty dishes.
Mystic
- Denison Homestead Museum
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
New Haven
- New Haven Museum
Free admission from noon until 5 p.m.
Old Mystic
- Indian and Colonial Research Center
Free guided tours from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
West Haven
- Ward-Heitmann House Museum
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. - West Haven Historical Society
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and each visitor will receive a mememto.
HARTFORD AREA
Mostly Interstate 95 to Interstate 91
Colchester
- Colchester History Museum
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. On view, “What the Doctor Ordered: A Century of Medicine Bottles from Colchester Pharmacies;” and an informal discussion with collector and donor Gerry Dauphinais.
East Hartford
- Futtner’s Family Farm LLC
Free prize drawing every half hour from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Prizes valued at $15 to $20 each, include flats of plants and vegetables, potted herbs, hanging baskets, and more. Must be present for drawing and limited one prize per customer. - Glenbrooke Swim & Tennis Club
Open from noon until 7 p.m., offering free admission to first 100 visitors. - Huguenot House Museum
Open from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., take the opportunity to visit this site which is rarely open to the public and offering a complimentary brochure on historic sites.
Farmington
- Stanley-Whitman House
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m., along with complimentary refreshments.
One of Hartford County’s must-see heritage destinations! Enter the world of Colonial New England by visiting Stanley-Whitman House, where you can experience life as the early settlers lived it. Tour the ca. 1720 National Historic Landmark house. Touch and examine the objects of everyday life in the galleries and in programs. Imagine farm life in period gardens and grounds. Immerse yourself in this historic moment in a wide range of experiential programs and learning opportunities.
Hartford
- Butler-McCook House & Garden
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m. - Connecticut Historical Society Museum & Library
Free admission from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Offering “Secrets of the Veeder House Tours” at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., tours of the 1928 house not regularly accessible to the public. - Connecticut’s Old State House
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m. - Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. After an 18 month interior renovation, the National Historic Landmark Stowe House reopens with a new interactive tour. On June 10, receive a discount on tour admission; enjoy horse drawn carriage rides, “meet” Harriet Beecher Stowe; children’s games, arts and crafts, food vendors and a cake in honor of Stowe’s 206th birthday. Tours free for Hartford residents.
Middletown
- General Joseph Mansfield House
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m
Newington
- Deming-Young Farm
Tour this historic farmhouse from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. with reduced admission. Also, garden tours and a Revolutionary War soldier presentation.
Suffield
- Hilltop Farm
Open from a a.m. until noon. Walk the trails and see the Pollinator Garden and fruit orchard. - Phelps-Hatheway House & Garden
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
West Hartford
- Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m. - Vintage HiFi Museum
Free admission from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Wethersfield
- Buttolph-Williams House
Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., with half off regular priced admission. - Cove Warehouse Maritime Museum
Open from noon until 4 p.m. Visit the Cove to learn the significance of the Red Onion trade, shipbuilding, privateers, fisheries and early yachts. - Hurlbut-Dunham House
Open from noon until 4 p.m. Visit this historic home, rich in early 20th century features including original Rococo Revival wallpapers, painted ceilings and cornices, and furnishings and accessories. - Keeney Memorial Cultural Center
Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The center is home to the Visitor’s Center for the Town of Wethersfield. View the two exhibits: “Castle on the Cove: The Connecticut State Prison and Wethersfield,” explores the evolution of the Connecticut State Prison system while it was in Wethersfield from 1827 to 1963; “Legendary People, Ordinary Lives” is also on display. - Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum
Free admission to the Webb House from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Windsor
- Connecticut Valley Agricultural Museum
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. “Sundaes on Saturday,” enjoy an ice cream social (fee: $5). - Vintage Radio & Communications Museum of Connecticut
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. - Windsor Historical Society
Free admission from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Step into the year of 1810 and be welcomed by Captain Nathaniel Howard, who shows you around the historic house, the Strong Howard House, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
Windsor Locks
- New England Air Museum
Open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., offering 50% off on admission for Connecticut residents and must have valid ID.
NORTHWEST
Leave early: This is the farthest end of the state. There are several Revolutionary War-era historical sites in Lebanon, Connecticut, nearby.
Coventry
- Nathan Hale Homestead
Free admission from noon until 4 p.m.
Scotland
- Huntington Homestead Museum
Open from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Theme of the day: “A Colonial Dinner for Our Future Governors;” and children can make a special 1748 wildlife booklet.
The Huntington Homestead in Scotland, Connecticut, is the birthplace of Samuel Huntington, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a distinguished statesman during the Revolutionary War and early Republic. The remarkably well-preserved site includes an eighteenth century house on its original foundation surrounded by acres of farmland, bordered by Merrick Brook. It includes old-growth trees, stone walls, an abandoned road, and other interesting features. The Huntington Homestead is a surprising discovery so late in the twentieth century, when most historic sites have already been enshrined or ravaged. It is a National Historic Landmark.
Willimantic
- Jillson House Museum
Free admission from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. - Windham Textile and History Museum
Open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., visitors receive a free ticket for a return visit and enter your name into a drawing for a Wyeth watercolor print that is signed and numbered.
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