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Windham Area Museums, Culture & Art

While you are in town please visit our other interesting cultural partners!

Download a copy of our Windham Brochure

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CT Eastern Railroad Museum

55 Bridge St, Willimantic, CT

Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4

cteastrrmuseum.org

860-456-9999

Adults $7, kids 8-12 $3, under 8 free

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The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum is located off Bridge Street in downtown Willimantic, CT, on the original site of the Columbia Junction Freight Yard. Our collection includes locomotives and rolling stock, as well as vintage railroad buildings and a six-stall roundhouse reconstructed on the original foundation.  Visitors can receive a guided tour of the museum and kids of all ages can operate a replica 1850's-style pump car along a section of rail that once was part of the New Haven Railroad's "Air Line".

Jillson House Museum
Windham Historical Society

627 Main St, Willimantic, CT

First Sat 1-4

jillsonhousemuseum.com

860-456-1666

CLICK TO EMAIL US

Admission Free

Visit an early 1800's beautiful stone home with working colonial period kitchen, herb garden and family living quarters.  Exhibits are interactive and change throughout the year.  We preserve the history and genealogy of Windham, CT.

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Windham Textile & History Museum

411 Main St, Willimantic, CT

Fri-Sun 10-4

millmuseum.org

860-456-2178

themillmuseum@gmail.com

The Windham Textile and History Museum located in the historic former headquarters of the American Thread Company in Willimantic, CT, houses a museum, a library, and an archive. Through its exhibits, programs, and collections, the Museum preserves and interprets the history of textiles and how that industry shaped our country from the colonial period to today.

Windham Theatre Guild

779 Main St, Willimantic, CT

Days & times of show vary

windhamtheatreguild.org

860-423-2245

info@windhamtheatreguild.org

Admission fees vary

The Windham Theatre Guild is a non-profit volunteer organization that has been producing quality community theatre since 1985. Hundreds of community volunteers join us each year as we strive to offer live theatrical and musical productions and education in the performing arts.  Each year, the Guild produces five to six Main Stage productions ranging from comedies to dramadies, to murder mysteries to musicals. Over the years, the WTG has also produced Shakespeare, dramas, plays by local playwrights and youth theatre productions.   

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Swift Water Artisans

866 Main St, Willimantic, CT 

Thur & Fri 12-5, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4

swiftwaters.org

860-456-8548

swiftwaters866@gmail.com

Admission is free but you won't leave without a gift!

We are a member-owned cooperative located in the heart of Downtown Willimantic, CT. Our gift store carries a wide array of goods. Pottery, Jewelry, clothing, prints, fine art, and photography are but some of the things we make.  Swift Waters artists are imaginative and skilled. You will find something for everyone

on your list with a visit to our store. Because Swift Waters

Artisans personally operate the store you will always find

an artist available to assist.

Akus Gallery at ECSU

83 Windham St, Willimantic, CT

Mon & Wed 12-4, Tue, Thur, Fri 12-7, Sat 11-3

easternct.edu

860-465-4659

Free Admission

The Akus Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University exhibits the works of established and emerging artists, as well as the creativity of Eastern students and faculty members. The gallery also manages the University’s permanent collection. Appealing to a diverse audience, the gallery is committed to works that reflect the human condition and the world around us while inspiring our visitors.  The gallery's permanent art collection focuses on contemporary art produced by artists with a connection to New England.

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3rd Thursday Street Fest

Main St, Downtown Willimantic

Third Thursdays 6-9 PM, May-Oct

willimanticstreetfest.com

860-450-0918

info@willimanticstreetfest.com

Free Admission

Thousands of people from far and wide will stroll along Main Street in Willimantic amid a background of musical, theatrical, visual, and olfactory delights.  There are bands and jugglers to entertain you as you meander through the fest. Five stages simultaneously host a wide variety of music and entertainment while over 100 local and regional crafters and vendors showcase the wealth of goods produced in Connecticut.   Willimantic's diversity really shines through in the delicious authentic international cuisine. Enjoy locally produced artwork, beer, music, and soda.

Free children's activities abound! Photo:Harrison Judd

Thread City Classical Dance

25 Meadow St, Willimantic, CT

Varying hours for classes

threadcityclassicaldance.com

959-929-2514

threadcitydance@gmail.com

Tuition varies

Thread City Classical Dance is 501(c)3 parent-run studio in Willimantic.  We believe there is value in studying any art for its own sake.  We welcome all sizes, shapes, abilities, and ambitions.  As a parent-run school, we will always work to keep our costs low so that the greatest number of students may avail themselves of the opportunity to experience the vitality of dance.

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Leffingwell House Museum

348 Washington Street, Norwich, CT

Sat 11-3, July-August, Sun 12-3

Info@leffingwellhousemuseum.org

860-889-9440

Adults $7, kids 8-12 $3, under 8 free

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The Leffingwell House Museum was first built in 1675 and served as a pre-revolutionary tavern.  By 1765 the house was elevated to an elegant home.  The house currently is filled with artifacts dating back to 1659 all the way through the Civil War that highlight the architectural evolution.  

Nathan Hale Homestead

2299 South Street, Coventry, CT

Fri-Sat 12-4, Sun 10-2

Hale@ctlandmarks.org

860-742-6917

Nathan Hale is largely considered the Hero of Connecticut.  Considered a true Connecticut landmark, the family home of Nathan Hale is open from dusk to dawn with tours on the hour.  Tours highlight how the house and farm reflect the lives of first-generation Americans.  

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The Mark Twain House & Museum

351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT

Open Daily 10-4:30, reservations recommended

info@marktwainhouse.org

860-247-0998

The Mark Twain House & Museum was the home to Mark Twain who lived and wrote on this property from 1874 until 1891.  This home is a twenty-five room Victorian mansion which features the interior design by Louis Comfort Tiffany. 

Hempsted House

11 Hempstead Street, New London, CT

Sat-Sun 1-4

Hempsted@ctlandmarks.org

860-443-7949

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Built in 1678, Joshua Hempsted lived in this home for 50 years where he described everyday life as an early American.  His house was home to nine generations of Hempsted's.  New London worked to keep this property safe and there are other buildings along the street

that have been preserved such as a 18th-century style stone

house across the street.  

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Roseland Cottage Museum

556 Rte. 169, Woodstock, CT 

Jun 1-Oct 15: Wed-Sun 11-4

roselandcottage@historicnewengland.org

860-928-4074

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The Roseland Cottage Museum was built in 1846.  During the time the most fashionable style was Gothic Revival which is largely evident in the house.  The Henry C. Bowen family used this home during the summers.  grounds include a formal parterre garden and garden house.  

Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

77 Forest St, Hartford, CT

Thu-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4

Info@Stowecenter.org

860-522-9258

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Harriet Beecher Stowe's Victorian Era home has now been turned into both a national historic landmark and a landmark that can be found on the Connecticut Freedom Trail.  The museum highlights the life of Stowe and her family, and the struggles of their times.  

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Gillette Castle State Park and Mansion

67 River Road, East Haddam, CT

Thu-Sun 10-5

860-222-7850

This historic castle was home to the Gillette family who was famous at the time for his career in acting.  His home houses multiple historic elements and his obsession with trains and the railroad is evident though the halls of his historic home.  

Ashbel Woodward House Museum

387 Route 32, Franklin, CT

May-October, 1st Sat of month, 11-3

sites.google.com/site/ashbelwoodwardmuseum.

860-642-1988

This 19th century home features a look into a county doctor's home.  Franklin's historical collections and genealogy library.  Living history events are held in the spring and fall.  

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Scotland Highland Festival

Waldo Homestead, 96 Waldo Home St, Scotland, CT06268

Sunday of Columbus Day Weekend, 9-4

scotlandgames.org

860-882-8060

Differing rates

info@scotlandgames.org

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The Highland Games are held on the Sunday of the Columbus Day Weekend and include a bagpipe competition, dancing competition, food trucks with Scottish food, highland camp, cattle, harp competition, Fiddlers competition, swordplay, Bonnie Knees competition and several concerts.  Parking is off premises so please check out our website.

Lebanon Historical Society

856 Trumbull Highway, Lebanon, CT06249

Wed-Sat 12-4 pm

historyoflebanon.org

860-642-6579

info@historyoflebanon.org

Admission Free

Since the Museum opened, the Society has expanded its campus with a combination of historic, reproduction and modern buildings. 

The object and archival collections have grown to include materials with a strong Lebanon history.  Most of the collections have been donated by local families.  While the collection includes a few objects that date to Lebanon’s colonial and Revolutionary War period, most date between the mid-1800 and the mid-1900s.  These collections form the basis for gallery exhibits and historic buildings’ furnishings.

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Mansfield Historical Society

954 Storrs Rd, Mansfield, CT 06268

Sat-Sun 1:30-4:30 pm

mansfieldct-history.org

860-429-6675

info@mansfieldct-history.org

$5 admission

Preserving the history of Mansfield.  Please visit our museum for interesting local stories as well as educational programs and exhibits.  We are located in the historic town hall.

Eastern Art Museum

83 Windham St, Willimantic, CT

Days & times of shows vary

easternct.edu/art-gallery

860-465*4659

Free Admission

In the Art Gallery at Eastern Connecticut State University, we fully embrace an expansive perspective of the Arts and its crucial role in the educational environment. We take pride in our richly diverse schedule of exhibitions which include the works of International, National and Regional Artists, in addition to that of our Students and Faculty. Likewise, our on-going program of lectures, presentations and interviews explores not only the Arts, but also current events and world ranging interests and issues that extend across the range of academic majors and disciplines.

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The Dinosaur Place

1650  Hartford-New London Tpk, Oakdale, CT 06370

Open every day

naturesartvillage.com

860-443-4367

Variable admission fees

Forty life-size dinosaurs scattered throughout a park plus a playground and splash pad.  Family fun for everyone.  Visit the Genius Museum and the Mini-Golf as well as shop at the many boutiques.

Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry

1 Royce Circle, Suite 101B, Mansfield, CT

Wed-Fri 11-5, Sat-Sun 11-7

bimp,uconn,edu

860-486-8580

bimp@uconn.edu

Free Admission

The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry is a unique resource for understanding the past, present, and future of puppets and material performance. The Ballard Institute presents exhibitions, performances, workshops, forums, and online resources about puppetry around the world; its collection of over 3,000 puppets and its archival resources offer further insights into puppet history.

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Jorgensen Center For The Performing Arts

2132 Hillside Rd #3104, Storrs, CT

Varying performances

jorgensen.uconn.edu

860-486-4226

Varying Admission Rates

Jorgensen Center for the Performing Arts is the largest college-based presenting program in New England. Each season, Jorgensen events attract more than 70,000 students, faculty and staff from the University of Connecticut, as well as residents from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Jorgensen presents 25-30 nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles annually, ranging from classical music to world music and dance, classical and contemporary dance, comedy, family programming and contemporary entertainment.

Connecticut Repertory Theatre

820 Bolton Rd #1127, Storrs, CT

Varying hours for performances

crt.uconn.edu

860-486-2113

CRTBoxOffice@uconn.edu

Admission varies

Connecticut Repertory Theatre is the producing arm of the University of Connecticut’s Department of Dramatic Arts.  Productions are directed, designed by, and cast with visiting professional artists, faculty members, and the department’s most advanced student artists.  CRT presents a wide range of material including premieres, contemporary plays, classics of the American musical theatre, and great works from the canon of world drama presented with both traditional and experimental points of view. CRT is also the performance outlet for the Department of Dramatic Art’s internationally acclaimed Puppet Arts program, the only degree-conferring puppetry program of its kind in the United States.

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