'Museum Commons' Set To Open For Summer

From Fairfield Museum: The Fairfield Museum & History Center has spearheaded the revitalization of the historic town green campus to create a dynamic regional destination that will connect history, art, culture and community. The new center for cultural activity – the Museum Commons – will launch with a Community Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 10 from 10am-4pm and remain open to the public throughout the summer on Fridays through Sundays from10am-2pm.

On June 10 new exhibitions will open in three buildings on the Museum Commons: Victorian Cottage and Barn (1888) and Sun Tavern (c.1780). More than 400 years of diverse stories are embedded in this intimate campus, which also serves as the Town of Fairfield’s civic center and the home of the Fairfield Museum. Interactive and hands-on experiences for adults, children and families will interweave topics such as society, the environment, family life, politics and agriculture, linking them to the Fairfield Museum’s exhibition, Creating Community: Exploring 375 Years of Our Past. The project strengthens the Fairfield Museum’s core mission to make history personal, engaging, and meaningful by connecting people with the complex history of this region and its broader context in the nation and the world.

One week before the official grand opening, on Saturday, June 3 from 7-11pm, the Museum will celebrate this important milestone and its 10thanniversary with a Gala on the Green. The event will feature access to the new exhibitions, specialty cocktails, music under the stars, a fabulous farm-to-table dinner prepared by Chef Tim LaBant of the Schoolhouse at Cannondale and special guest, James Beard Foundation Award-Winner, Chef Michel Nischan. Event co-chairs are Denise Stone and Gay Tice, and the event is generously sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, Brody Wilkinson PC and Roland & Co. Tickets are available by calling the Museum at (203) 259-1598 or visiting Fairfieldhistory.org/event/gala-on-the-green/. RSVP by May 19.

“The Museum Commons on the historic town green will be a continually evolving cultural space,” said Fairfield Museum Executive Director Mike Jehle. “The buildings and exhibitions will engage visitors and the open spaces on the Museum Commons will serve as an outdoor venue for entertainment and the arts.” The new exhibitions featured in the Museum Commons properties will include the following:

The Victorian Cottage will house a children’s museum that encourages families with younger children to explore their community through hands-on activities. Families can learn what it means to be a good citizen with interactive maps, explore the community tree or “fish” for examples of natural resources.

The Victorian Barn will explore Fairfield’s agricultural roots and promote conversations about contemporary food issues. Visitors can explore and learn about past and present agriculture–including the famous Southport Globe onion—as well as food resources, techniques and tools used by yesterday’s and today’s farmers.

The Sun Tavern exhibition will offer visitors an immersive experience. Guests can sit at a tavern table, empty the mailbag and read a newspaper from 200 years ago. In the “Seeking Justice” room, guests can act out trials—from counterfeiting to trading secrets with the enemy—that took place at the nearby courthouse.

In addition, weekly activities will take place on the Museum Commons. Storytime at the Cottage will take place Fridays at 11am, Earth Heroes environmental activities will be held on Saturdays at 10:30am, and Sun Tavern guided tours will be held every Saturday at 1pm.

Hours for the properties will be Friday – Sundays, 10am – 2pm, through Sunday, September 3. Admission to the Museum, the Museum Commons and popular events like the Holiday Express Train Show is FREE for Members, and a year-long individual membership is $30 while a family membership is $75. For non-members admission is $7 for adults; $5 for students/seniors and children ages 7 and under are free. Admission may be purchased inside the Fairfield Museum. The Community Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 10 is Free.

“The opening of the Museum Commons properties marks such an exciting next chapter for the Museum,” said Shana Wiswell, director of development. “We are tremendously grateful to the many partners, champions and funders who have been so generous and supportive.”

The Fairfield Museum is grateful to the following donors who provided leadership support for the Museum Commons: State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Humanities, Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation and the Town of Fairfield. With thanks to Fairfield Rotary Club and Newman’s Own Foundation for support of the Victorian Cottage, Grand Lodge of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of Connecticut and Mr. John Baron for support of the Sun Tavern, and the ongoing support of Fairfield Museum members.

The Fairfield Museum is located at 370 Beach Road in Fairfield. For more information, to become a Member, to purchase tickets to Gala on the Green or to register for camps or programs visit Fairfieldhistory.org or call 203-259-1598.

Photo courtesy of Fairfield Museum