Month: November 2021

We know that Santa gets around during the holiday season, but sleighs are not his only favorite mode of travel. In Litchfield Hills, you can often find the man in red enjoying a holiday train ride–and he loves company.

On December weekends, Santa can be found aboard the Santa Express leaving from Thomaston, CT, ready with bags of goodies for all the young passengers he meets along the way. Santa is so fond of trains that he even has two satellite workshops in train cars, one reached via a vintage train ride at the Danbury Railway Museum and another along the way on the Northern Lights Limited, a nighttime train excursion from Thomaston.

Rides are just part of the special railroad fun for families this year in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties, where lavish displays of working model trains are a traditional holiday treat in several locations.

The Santa Express in Thomaston This 1920s vintage train travels along the scenic Naugatuck River for a warm, cozy 80-minute round-trip ride. Santa brings along Mrs. Claus and some friendly helper elves to visit with each child on board. Trains depart from the historic 1881 station in Thomaston Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays December 3,4,5,9,10,11,12,17,18, and 19. Starting Christmas week the train will run on December 20,21,22 and 23. The last train of the holiday season will run on December 30th. On Saturdays and Sundays, the train runs at 12 noon, 2:15, 5 p.m., and 7:15 p.m. On Fridays and during Christmas week the train runs at 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.

Light displays inside and out make for an exciting outing at night aboard the Northern Lights Limited from Thomaston. The train makes a stop at Santa’s Train Workshop, where the great man will board and greet everyone with gifts.

Back at the gaily decorated station, a model train layout is in action, and a large selection of railroad theme gifts, books, and memorabilia can be found. Tickets and information are available from the Railroad Museum of New England, online at www.rmne.org, or by phoning (860) 283-7245. Coach tickets are $20 for adults and Children and, first-class tickets are $49.50 for adults and children. The station is located at 242 East Main Street in Thomaston, CT

All Aboard in Danbury At the Danbury Railway Museum, a classic 1903 station with a railroad yard filled with vintage train cars, visitors can ride a working vintage train through the yard to Santa’s Workshop. New this year the Danbury Railway Museum is offering a short train ride in a restored 1950s Rail Diesel Car through historic Danbury Railyard, you’ll be escorted back to the station for a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus, where the big man himself will give out the first gifts of Christmas (Parents: Bring a pre-wrapped present or select from our online menu [includes FREE gift wrapping & batteries], and Old St. Nick will give your little one their unique present!). The museum is open every Saturday and Sunday, December 4-19 from 12 noon to 7 p.m.

The Danbury Railroad Museum is located on 120 White Street in Danbury. Trains run on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30, 2 pm, 3:30 pm, 5 pm, and 6:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for ages 2 and up. Click here for more information.

The Institute for American Indian Studies located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington is hosting its annual Holiday Market on Saturday, November 27, December 4, and December 11, and on Sunday, November 28, December 5, and December 12. The market is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; visitors can also tour the museum for $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children; members are free.

If you are looking for something really unusual, make sure to stop in at the only Holiday Market featuring Native American-inspired artwork in Connecticut. Here you will find something truly unique for everyone on your list from Native American jewelry and artwork at a variety of price points. A chance to talk with the people that have created the many works of art is an added bonus.

This iconic market pays tribute to indigenous people across the United States and provides a spectacular opportunity to see Native American-inspired work exhibited and sold. Highlights of the market include the magical sounding flutes handcrafted by Allen Madahbee, Ojibwe. In addition to the one-of-a-kind flutes, Allen is offering beaded moccasins, woodcarvings, rock sculptures, and his inspirational original paintings.

Another vendor, Kim Lewis from Native Visions will be offering an astounding array of Native American Art from Oklahoma and the Southwest including a fine selection of original paintings and prints, Zuni Fetishes, silver jewelry, pottery by Mel Cornshucker, plus Hopi, and Navajo Kachinas.

A long-time favorite of the Holiday Market, Primitive Technologies will offer a tantalizing array of jewelry including hand-carved flint arrowhead and flint animal necklaces, masks, decorative gourds, carved stone art, containers made out of natural materials, traditional tools, and handmade pottery.
The Museum’s Gift Shop will also be open and is brimming with a distinctive collection of Native American jewelry, art, paintings, hard-to-find books, pottery, smudges, games, and much more. What better way to kick off the holiday season than with a visit to this popular signature event that offers unusual gift items and an immersive cultural experience that celebrates contemporary and traditional Native American-inspired art.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies
Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

There is no better way to walk off all the extra calories pf Thanksgiving than to head to White Memorial Foundation on November 27 at 2 p.m. for a walk along Cranberry Trail with educator, Gerri Griswold. This engaging walk will take hikers through Cranberry Swamp to Cranberry Pond. This hike is part of the Mattatuck Trail that passes through White Memorial Conservation Center.

This is the 11th year that White Memorial is hosting this walk on the cusp of winter. After strolling this spectacular trail, you will finish off the hike with a cup of hot coffee and a thick wedge of Crimson Pie swimming in a pool of thick ginger creme anglaise! Make sure to pre-register because this walk is limited to 50 people. The walk is free but donations will be accepted and will help defray the Conservation Center’s operating cost.

Hikers should pre-register by clicking here. The hike begins at 2 pm at the Cranberry Pond Trail Head on Webster Road in Litchfield.

The Fairfield Museum, located on Beach Street in the heart of historic Fairfield has announced the 7th annual Holiday Pop-Up Market! This festive Market of holiday gifts at the Museum is a wonderful kick-off to the holiday season!

There is a five-dollar suggested donation to attend this exciting and colorful market. Your donation will enter you into a drawing to win a gift bag of items from the Museum shop, a one-year family membership to the Museum, and an Experience Fairfield poster. With a range of exciting vendors, will be fun to attend this festive fundraiser – for a good cause.

This year the festival is taking place on Saturday, November 20, and Sunday, November 21 – from 10 AM-4 PM. This year’s vendors are Adorn Accessories, Be Nice Today, Beauty Counter, Bespoke Caramels, Candle Delights, Elemental Allies, Esthetic Living, Gioiellajewelry, Hanesie Clothes, In2 Design, Jenny Wooh, KIS Skincare, The Lady Ming Collection, Old Fashioned Jewelry, Preppy Player, Sand Accessories, Sofia.co, Stroll Rock Designs, Two B’s Accessories, and the Wild Heart Boutique.

“The Spirit of Christmas Past: Four Centuries of Christmas in New England” is the title of an upcoming FREE virtual program offered by the Torrington Historical Society on Wednesday, November 17th at 6:30 pm. Kenneth Turino, Manager of Community Partnerships and Resource Development at Historic New England, will be the presenter.

Mr. Turino has published several articles on the history of Christmas and has a book in development. To register please visit www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org. This program is sponsored by CT Humanities. This well-illustrated lecture traces the development of the celebration of Christmas from the time it was outlawed in 17th Century New England through the beginning of the 21st Century when all the trappings of a traditional Christmas were in place.

For many, the celebration of Christmas today is the most important holiday of the year. But many of the customs which we take for granted as part of the current holiday festivities and religious celebrations are actually a product of more recent history. The presentation will look at how Christmas was transformed from a rowdy celebration to a family-centered event. Among the topics discussed are how the Christmas tree became popular, halls were decked, and Santa Claus.

The next virtual program will be held on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 6:30 pm. James Ashborn and America’s First Guitar Factory: How a Waterwheel on the East Branch of the Naugatuck River Changed History will tell the fascinating story of Torrington guitar, banjo, and string manufacturer James Ashborn. To register please visit http://www.torringtonhistoricalsociety.org.