Connecticut Treasures Program Will Offer Free/Reduced Admission

The beluga whales at the know when someone is talking about them even if it’s indirectly. As state Sen. Andrew Maynard (D-Stonington) presented a new program aimed at promoting tourism in Connecticut, beluga whales, Kela, Naku, Juno and Naluark took turns showing off in their exhibit at the aquarium.

“Connecticut Treasures,” a new program created last week during a special session of the General Assembly will identify cultural educational and historically significant attractions throughout the state and promote them through advertising on television, the radio and online.

Attractions designated ‘Connecticut Treasures’ will also become part of a Connecticut Treasures Passport, which will provide free or reduced admission to attractions for children under the age of 18.

“We want to bring people’s attention to all that Connecticut has to offer,” Maynard said as discussed the program in front of the beluga whale exhibit at the aquarium. “Tourism is essential to our state’s economy, particularly here in southeast Connecticut.”

The “Connecticut Treasures” program is part of the 2012 Jobs package and under the program teachers throughout Connecticut will receive educational materials on the treasures.

“It promises to be a very powerful and enduring program,” Executive Vice President of the Mystic Aquarium Peter Glankoff said.

The Connecticut DECD will decide which organizations are “Connecticut Treasures,” but some of the places being considered are the Mystic Aquarium, , Connecticut Science Center, Mark Twain House and the Dinosaur State Park. All state-owned and operated museums will automatically become a part of the program.

Kela, Naku, Juno and Naluark already think they are treasures.