Mansfield Sites To Join CT Open House Day With Free Admissions, Drive-In Offer

MANSFIELD, CT — The Mansfield Downtown Partnership is inviting residents and visitors to explore local attractions during CT Open House Day on Saturday, June 13.

The statewide event, now in its 22nd year, is staged on the second Saturday of June and is designed to showcase cultural, historical and recreational destinations across Connecticut.

In Mansfield, several organizations are participating with free admission, while the Mansfield Drive-in Theatre & Marketplace is offering a free popcorn coupon to moviegoers who mention CT Open House Day at the gate.

According to the announcement, hundreds of locations across the state will mark the day with special offers.

Local participants include Atwood Farm Museum at 624 Wormwood Hill Road in Mansfield Center, where visitors can explore a 19th century farm through demonstrations, self-guided tours and open buildings including the bank barn, blacksmith's shop and weaver's cottage. The Ballard Institute & Museum of Puppetry at 1 Royce Circle in Storrs is also offering free admission. The museum's collection includes more than 3,000 puppets and is part of the University of Connecticut's School of Fine Arts.

Fenton River Studio at 287 Gurleyville Road in Storrs will welcome visitors to artist Shauna Shane's garden and studio, where the announcement says guests can see features including a Koi pond, a lighted Hobbit house and more than 150 award winning paintings. The Gurleyville Gristmill at 129 Stonemill Road in Storrs, described in the announcement as Connecticut's last standing stone gristmill, will offer guided tours of its preserved milling equipment and 19th century water-powered technology.

The J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum at 2384 Alumni Drive in Storrs is also part of the event. Located in the UConn Alumni Center, the museum includes national championship trophies for the men's and women's basketball team and memorabilia from all 21 UConn teams.

At the Mansfield Drive-in Theatre & Marketplace, 228 Stafford Road in Mansfield Center, visitors who come to a movie on June 13 and mention CT Open House Day at the gate will receive a coupon for a free popcorn at the snack bar. Tickets can be bought at the gate or online at mansfielddrivein.com.

“We are lucky here in Mansfield to have such a great variety of places to enjoy, and CT Open House Day is a perfect opportunity to get out and explore!” said Steven Ferrigno, Executive Director of the Mansfield Downtown Partnership. “Our museums, artists’ studios, and cultural and outdoor recreation attractions not only enrich the lives of Mansfield residents, but they also support other businesses by drawing regional and international visitors who grab a bite to eat or stay for a weekend.”

The announcement says CT Open House Day marks the start of the summer season. It also points visitors to additional summer activities in town, including more than 120 miles of trails and pathways, free live music on Betsy Paterson Square on Thursdays in June, July and August, and Mansfield's restaurants and cafés. More information is available at mansfieldct.gov/summer.