Victorian Days offer a fun glimpse of old grandeur

In its 11th year, Victorian Days in Willimantic, June 4 - 7, 2009, presented by the Willimantic Victorian Neighborhood Association, is proud to announce the 2009 schedule of events.

On Saturday and Sunday, June 6 & 7, twelve homes/historic sites will be open for guided tours. $15 - one day; $25 two days.  6 sittings of a Victorian Tea will be served at one of the Victorian Homes. $15 per person, reservations strongly suggested.

Thursday,June 5, is the opening event of Victorian Days in Willimantic with the Lantern Tour  at 8 PM, $5. On Friday, a Classic Brass Concert will take place at the 1st Congregational Church on 199 Valley Street, and is sponsored by the Webber Fund.  Refreshments will be served after the performance. The concert is open to the public at no charge.

Also new this year, a photographic retrospective of Willimantic - A Century of Progress and the Willimantic Cultural Festival - A History of Willimantic: A Cultural Tour Through Time”, celebrating the generations of people who make up this diverse community.

Willimantic has the largest Historic District in the state, with more than 600 homes of the Victorian style on the National Register.   There are three wonderful museums including the Eastern CT Railroad Museum, the Jillson House and the Windham Textile & History Museum.  The art galleries, the Frog Bridge, Garden on the Bridge, the Historic Footbridge are all reasons to make Willimantic your destination. These attractions may be enjoyed by taking the Trolley Tour of  the Town, new to the tour this year, entertaining visitors with a guided tour of historic landmarks and several interesting stops to discover along the way.

For information, advance tickets or to receive a brochure with full details call 860-456-4476. Also visit victorianwillimantic.org

Victorian Days Event Listing

Thursday, June 4            8:00 PM
Lantern Tour                  $5.00
Join Windham Textile & History Museum’s renowned historian Bev York on a guided lantern tour across two of Willimantic’s historic bridges, the Footbridge and the Garden on the Bridge. The twilight stroll continues on Pleasant Street with stories of former mill owners, workers and their homes. Tour starts at the Garden on the Bridge, Main Street. Refreshments and Museumtours will be offered at the Windham Textile Museum at the end of the tour. Under 18 no charge. Bring a lantern.

Friday, June 5                                6:15 PM
Bagpipe Promenade
Join Victorian Neighborhood residents and friends for the promenade, which starts at the corner of Hight St. & Lewiston Ave. Ends at First Congregational Church, 199 Valley Street in time for the Classic Brass Band Concert. Walk to the music of the bagpipe.

Friday, June 5                                7:00 PM
Classic Brass Concert        Free Admission
Perpetuating the brass band tradition, Classic Brass plays the musical repertoire of the British-style brass band started during the Industrial Revolution when many companies sponsored musical groups as recreation for their employees. This concert is sponsored by the Webber Fund of the 1st Congregational Church of Willimantic and will be held in the sanctuary at 199 Valley Street. Refreshments will be served following the performance. This concert is a gift from the church to the community. It is open to the public at no charge.

Saturday and Sunday, June 6 & 7
Kramer School Exhibit Hall Opens     9 AM
Ticket Sales    9 AM - 4 PM
Mill Museum Cafe - Desserts/Beverages
Architectural Slideshow    10 AM
Trolley Tours through Town
Start 11 AM - 4:00 PM
Antique Cars    11:00AM - 4:00  PM

NEW THIS YEAR!!
Saturday & Sunday, June 6 & 7    11 AM - 4 PM
GUIDED TROLLEY TOURS THROUGH TOWN
Our guide will lead you through town with stops along the way at over 9 local historic sites, continuing on through the Hill Section to the homes on the Tour. Riders may get on and off as they wish. Total time approx. 30 minutes. Donations accepted.

Saturday, June 6            10:00 AM
Historic Windham Mills Tour        $10.00
Meet at the Mill, 320 Main Street and tour Mill No. 2, built between 1863 and 1864. It is one of the most striking industrial structures in the United States.
Tickets may be purchased on site.

Saturday, June 6            11 AM - 3 PM
Alice in Wonderland Croquet Tournament
Jillson Square, Main Street
Bring the kids and enjoy a fun game of croquet with the Queen, the Rabbit and other surprises. Sponsored by the Windham Textile & History Museum. Adults $3; Children 5 & over, $2.

Saturday, June 6            11 AM - 3 PM
Willimantic Cultural Festival 2009
“The History of Willimantic: A Cultural Tour through Time”.
Farmer’s Market Pavillion, 89 Union Street
Corner of Main and Jackson Streets
A festival of food, entertainment and culture taking you through a timeline capitalizing on the taste, sight and sound of the diverse nationalities that make up our community. See the history of the immigrants who came to work in the mills. No charge for admission.

Saturday and Sunday, June 6 & 7
9 AM - 12 Noon
Guided Horticultural Tour of Pam and Jim Wright’s garden at 333 Pleasant Street. No Charge. On Trolley route.

Saturday & Sunday, June 6 & 7    10:00 AM
Kramer School
Architectural Slide Show. Bev York discusses the different styles of Victorian Architecture. Donations accepted.

Saturday & Sunday, June 6 & 7            10 AM - 4 PM
Kramer School
Willimantic - A Century of Progress
Walk through the decades and see Willimantic in its heyday. Relive the spendor of the 20th century through the eye of the camera. Includes postcards, photos and art by local artists.

Saturday & Sunday  11:30, 1:00 & 2:30 PM
Victorian Tea            266 Walnut Street
$15.00 per person
Invite a group of friends to enjoy this always sold-out event where  you are transported to Victorian times and served an authentic Victorian Tea in an historic Victorian home.  Tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, pastries and, of course, tea. Reservations required call 860-456-4476.

Saturday & Sunday, June 6 & 7               1:00 PM
Garden On The Bridge Tours
Garden Club of Windham members will give guided horticultural tours and outline the history of the bridge.  Open to the public. Donations accepted.

. . .  and, of course the Victorian Homes . . .
Guided tours through 12 Victorian Homes and historic sites.

Price Summary of Victorian DaysTickets:
Home Tour:      One Day   $15.00
Two Days  $25.00
Home tour tickets include:

• Entry into all tour homes
• Continuous Guided Trolley Tours through Town
• Admission to Kramer Exhibit Hall and

the Photographic Retrospective

• Home Tour Program

*  Victorian Tea Tickets, $15.00 per person
Reservations Required - 860-456-4476
* Lantern Tour   $5.00
* Mill Tour $10.00

Watch for updates at www.victorianwillimantic.org

All tickets, information & complete brochure are available by calling 860-456-4476