Open House Day In Vernon

This Saturday, June 10 is the 13th annual Connecticut Open House Day sponsored by the CT Department of Culture and Tourism. This one-day statewide event is designed to showcase Connecticut’s diverse world of history, art, and tourism.

Discover the wonders in our own backyard as the Vernon Volunteers’ Cooperative coordinates CT Open House Day in Vernon. This is a unique opportunity to visit local sites that have been on your ‘bucket list.’ You will find a variety of special events, tours and activities planned as hosting organizations welcome their neighbors.

There are five Vernon venues offering free open houses and special events. They are listed below roughly by the time of any activity or hours they are open so that you can better plan your time. We hope you will take advantage of this day and discover more of ‘What Makes Vernon Special.’

The organizations taking part in this event are members of the Vernon Volunteers' Collaborative (VVC). If you would like advanced notice by email of this type of event please join our MeetUp Group. You will also find upcoming events listed on the VVC website under the 'Events' tab.

» See participants from all towns in the 2017 Connecticut Open House Day.

Valley Falls Park (9 to 10)

Valley Falls Park is owned by the Town of Vernon and maintained by the Vernon Park & Recreation Department. It’s a popular spot for swimming, hiking and picnicking.

Today Vernon Park and Recreation is sponsoring ‘A Family Bird Walk’ led by wildlife biologist, JANE SEYMOUR of the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The 1-hour program begins at 9 a.m. Meet in the gazebo.

Come learn about birds and go for a walk. The park is located at 300 Valley Falls Road.

Strong Family Farm (9 to 1)

Strong Family Farm is an historic agricultural education center where children, individuals, families and community groups can experience an authentic family farm environment.

The farm will be open for tours on the hour from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Depending on the weather, strawberries and rhubarb will be available to buy in the store along with other items.

From 9 a.m. until noon those who want to learn about how to grow your own vegetables and can commit to taking care of a garden plot can sign-up for garden planting. Families and Groups are requested to register ahead of time to join us in our Garden Planting Party sponsored in part by Thrivent Financial Group. Thrivent Action Team T-shirts will be available free to the first 25 participants.

The farm is located at 274 West Street.

» Visit Strong Family Farm's website to register.

Valley Falls Farm (10 to 2)

The picturesque Valley Falls Farm is a 7-acre property owned by the Friends of Valley Falls. The property includes an historic 1850’s farmhouse and 6 farm outbuildings. The Friends will offer free tours of the Farm between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Vernon Garden Club maintains an historical herb garden at the farm as one of its projects and will talk about this garden as well as their other activities.

The farm is located at 345 Valley Falls Road.

» Visit Friends Of Valley Falls' website.

» Visit the Vernon Garden Club's website.

Vernon Historical Society (10 to 4)

The Vernon Historical Society’s goal is the preservation of our local history and making that history come to life for the community. It is located in the historic Vernon Grange building.

Open House Day is also the opening day for their new World War I museum exhibit 'Remembering the Great War.' In addition they will offer tours of the exhibit and museum

Incentives to visitors include:
• The first 25 visitors will receive a complimentary copy of the Vernon Historical Society’s 50th anniversary booklet.
• Anyone who purchases a membership on that day can select a free VHS hat or VHS mug.

The Vernon Education Foundation will also be at the event to talk with visitors about their work with schools and teachers.

VHS is located at 734 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30).

» Visit the Vernon Historical Society's website.

» Visit the Vernon Education Foundations's website.

New England Civil War Museum (11 to 3)

The New England Civil War Museum is the only museum in Connecticut devoted to the fighting men of the War of the Rebellion.

The museum and its library work to convey the lessons of the American Civil War. They perpetuate the memory of the Civil War and of those who helped save the Union through the preservation and display of relics of that war. The museum also has an educational outreach program focusing on historical education of youth and promoting lifelong learning among adults.

Housed in an original Grand Army of the Republic hall the museum contains numerous one-of-a-kind artifacts from the Civil War, with an emphasis on Connecticut's contributions.

The library and research center contain hundreds of books and periodicals for research and study and is located at Town Hall, 14 Park Place in Rockville.

» Visit the New England Civil War Museum's website.

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