Prominent Southington Museum Open For Free This Weekend

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The Barnes Museum will open its doors to visitors free of charge on Saturday, June 13, as part of Connecticut Open House Day, a statewide event highlighting cultural, historical, and tourism destinations.

The museum, located at 85 N. Main St., will welcome visitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. No registration is required.

Housed in a historic residence built in 1836, the Barnes Museum preserves the former home and belongings of the Bradley and Barnes families, who occupied the property for more than a century.

The house and its contents were bequeathed to the Town of Southington in 1973 by Bradley Barnes.

Visitors can tour 17 rooms featuring original Victorian- and Edwardian-era furnishings, clothing, photographs, and personal artifacts.

The museum also contains collections of 19th-century pressed and cut glass as well as a preserved historic kitchen.

Guided tours provide insight into the lives of the Bradley and Barnes families, the evolution of the home over multiple generations, and the history of Southington during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The Barnes Museum is one of more than 200 attractions expected to participate in Connecticut Open House Day, an annual event that encourages residents and visitors to explore historic, cultural and recreational destinations across the state.

Parking for the event will be available at 1 Riccio Way, with visitors able to walk directly onto the museum grounds.

Additional information is available by calling 860-628-5426.

For more information on the Barnes Museum, click on this link.