A Little Bit hOAKey? The Charter Oak, Hartford May 12, 2008 Now, you didn't think I'd learn all about the Charter Oak over at Museum of Connecticut History or the Old State House earlier and not check out the actual site of the tree, did you? For shame. A quick drive (it was raining fairly heavily and it IS … [Read more...]
Somers Mtn Museum of Natural History and Primitive Technology (Closed)
The Drumbeat of Death Somers This museum closed around 2000. As CTMQ readers are acutely aware, I love museums. And I hate when they close - most often due to lack of funding, awareness, and visitations. However, this particular museum may have "had" to go by the wayside. Somehow, "Somers Mountain Museum of … [Read more...]
Captain John Francis House Museum (Closed)
O My! Captain! You're Not a Captain! Wethersfield (Google Maps Location) June 14, 2008 Closed as a museum in 2018. O CAPTAIN! my Captain! our fearful trip is done; The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won; The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all … [Read more...]
Miranda Vineyard (Closed)
I Know My Miranda Rights, Ossifer! Miranda Vineyard, Goshen June 15, 2008 Miranda closed in November 2021. “You have the right to remain drinking. Anything you say can and will be used against you as you sample another varietal. You have the right to buy a bottle of wine, even on Sundays in Connecticut. If you … [Read more...]
The Hitchcock Museum (Closed)
Sit Down for This One... Barkhamsted RIP, slow death 1997-2005 Since I put this page together and after the museum closed, the company was revived and continues to live on: The Hitchcock Chair Company I'm not into classic Americana furniture in the least, nor will I ever be. I'll take a Le Corbusier or … [Read more...]
Farm Implement Museum (Closed)
Implementing Closure Bloomfield RIP, early to mid-00's I'm just bummed I missed out on a museum with the word "implement" in the name. Because that's cool. And by all accounts, this museum was most definitely cool. I recall an article in our local free weekly paper about it a few years ago which made me say to … [Read more...]
CT Audubon Society Center of Glastonbury (Closed)
Owl, That's Gotta Hurt Glastonbury (Google Maps Location) March 8, 2008 The location closed in mid-2020. With seven other Audubon Society museums scattered around the state, I've issued myself a personal challenge to come up with good titles each time. This will not be easy, I assure you. Having only visited … [Read more...]
The Rosa Ponselle Museum (Closed)
The Fat Lady Has Sung... Meriden RIP, Mid-00's ... And this museum is over. Yes, another of the Lester Dequaine triumvirate of wildly random museums - the Rosa Ponselle Museum - is closed along with the National Shaving and Barbershop Museum and the Frank Chiarenza Museum of Glass. I have seen Mr. … [Read more...]
The Frank Chiarenza Museum of Glass (Closed)
Shattered Dreams Meriden RIP, mid-00's I have seen Mr. Desquaine’s name spelled Dequaine equally. A commenter elsewhere yelled at me and wrote “Dequaine” so I’ll go with that. Astute readers and Connecticut museum-goers know that the Frank Chiarenza Museum of Glass closed along with it's sister Lester Dequaine … [Read more...]
National Shaving and Barbershop Museum (Closed)
One More Museum Gets Trimmed Meriden RIP, mid-00's I have seen Mr. Desquaine’s name spelled Dequaine equally. A commenter elsewhere yelled at me and wrote “Dequaine” so I’ll go with that. I am very disappointed I never got to check out this museum. Is there anything more random than a museum dedicated to … [Read more...]