Governor's Residence Open for Holiday Tours This Weekend

If you've been wondering what that big house on the northeast corner of Prospect and Asylum avenues in Hartford looks like on the inside, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is inviting residents to a holiday open house and tour of the Governor’s Residence this weekend.

The open house, located at 990 Prospect Avenue in Hartford, will be held:

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2 
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3
• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4

“The Governor’s Residence truly belongs to the public, and this is a great opportunity for Connecticut families to stop by and see the house decked out in festive holiday decorations, all of which were generously donated by several local organizations,” Malloy said in a press release.  “Cathy and I look forward to continuing this annual holiday tradition.”

 The tour will be aided by about 35 volunteer docents, some of whom have volunteered for over 20 years.  Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children all weekend long, with occasional appearances by Mrs. Claus.  Guests can also pick up special holiday recipe cards featuring the Malloys’ favorite holiday dessert.

 Throughout the weekend, visitors are encouraged to bring new, unwrapped toys that will be collected by the U.S. Marines Corps and donated to Toys for Tots.

 While at the open house, guests can also purchase the Governor’s annual holiday ornament, which this year features an image of the Governor’s Residence with the First Dogs of Connecticut, Zoe and Puck.  It will be sold for $20, and all proceeds will benefit the Governor’s Residence Conservancy, a nonprofit organization responsible for planning and supervising the preservation, restoration and maintenance of the Residence and its grounds.

 Live entertainment will be performed by the following:

Friday, Dec. 2

10 a.m. – U.S. Coast Guard Glee Club

1:15 p.m. – Joseph A. Foran High School Flute Quartet (Milford)

 Saturday, December 3

10 a.m. – Studio E flute ensemble (Moodus)

11:30 a.m. – Singer Catherine A. Quirk with accompanist Holly J. McCann

 Sunday, December 4

12:00 p.m. – Hall High School Choir (West Hartford)

1:30 p.m. – Conard High School Choir (West Hartford)

 This is the 21st year that Connecticut florists, greenhouse growers, nurserymen and Christmas tree growers have joined together to kindly donate, at no cost to the state, all of the holiday decorations for the residence.  Those organizations include:

• The Connecticut Florists Association
• The Connecticut Greenhouse Growers Association
• The Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association
• The Connecticut Christmas Tree Growers Association

Additional information on the history of the Governor’s Residence can be found on the Governor’s website.