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06/25/2015 12:00 AMExperience the sights, the sounds and the aromas of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries as Guilford's five history museums present two days of tours, craft demonstrations, hands-on activities and refreshments during the second annual Early Guilford Days: Family Festival. The Henry Whitfield State Museum, Hyland House Museum, Thomas Griswold House Museum, Medad Stone Tavern Museum and The Dudley Farm Museum will be open between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 as they recreate the popular fourth grade educational program Early Guilford Days for the whole family.
Start your adventure at any of the five museums where you can buy a discounted ticket for admission to all the sites for both days of the event. Tickets are $5 per person, $10 per family of two or more and children 11 and under are free. Have your ticket punched at all five museums and redeem it at your last stop for a free gift.
In addition to regular tours and refreshments, the following activities will be offered at each museum:
The Henry Whitfield State Museum at 248 Old Whitfield Street will celebrate children both days by offering early toys and games for play as well as the skill of writing with a quill pen and ink. Daily children's chores will be highlighted including planting a seed to take home, using a yoke to haul water and making fire from flint and steel. On Saturday, the featured craft demonstration will be candle making with Bob and Melodye Whatley of Chili Bob Candleworks. The Henry Whitfield House, built in 1639, is Connecticut's oldest house. The museum is operated by the State of Connecticut, State Historic Preservation Office.
The Hyland House Museum at 84 Boston Street will feature hearth cooking with Sue Kowalski on Saturday and fun with herbs and the art of dying cloth on Sunday. Tasty samples will be available. The Hyland House, built in 1713, is a classic saltbox and one of the earliest house museums in New England. It is operated by the Dorothy Whitfield Historic Society.
The Thomas Griswold House Museum at 171 Boston Street will have a smith working at the forge in the blacksmith shop and will present weaving demonstrations and games for children on both Saturday and Sunday. The Thomas Griswold House, built circa 1774, is widely recognized as a superb example of local architecture of the period and with its several outbuildings is operated by The Guilford Keeping Society.
The Medad Stone Tavern Museum, also owned by The Guilford Keeping Society, will host stenciling and paper cutting activities each day. The 1803 tavern was one of two taverns owned by Medad Stone and, oddly enough, was never used as a tavern! Find out more about this curious story when you tour this 14 room, 10 fireplace building that has seen little alteration since it was first constructed.
The Dudley Farm Museum, at 2351 Durham Road (Jct. of Rtes 77 & 80) in North Guilford invites you into the world of 19th century household chores and laundry. In between all the cleaning you can view the gardens and visit with the sheep, chickens, and oxen. Visitors are welcome to picnic at the farm during the event (picnic tables available). The 1844 farmhouse and late 19th and early 20th century farm are operated by The Dudley Foundation.
Historic Guilford Museums is a longtime collaboration among the four non-profit organizations that own and operate the five history museums in Guilford, Connecticut. Each year thousands of visitors and school children benefit from a myriad of public programming and exhibits co-sponsored by Historic Guilford Museums, including the award winning Early Guilford Days history program that all Guilford fourth graders experience. For additional information on the organizations visit the web sites below.