Joshua's Trust

06/13/2026

Today is CT Open House Day! In Mansfield, you can enjoy history, arts, sports, and more at these participating locations:

🌳 Atwood Farm Museum, a heritage site of Joshua's Trust: Explore the buildings, grounds and implements of this 19th century farm through demonstrations, self-guided tours, and more! 🎟️ Free admission 📍 624 Wormwood Hill Road, Mansfield Center ⏰ Open 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

🎭 Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry: Explore this world-renowned museum dedicated to the art of puppetry! 🎟️ Free admission 📍 1 Royce Circle, Downtown Storrs ⏰ 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

🎨 Shauna Shane Fenton River Studio: Meander through Shauna Shane's garden and discover a creative surprise around every corner! 🎟️ Free admission 📍 287 Gurleyville Road, Storrs ⏰ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

🌳 Gurleyville Grist Mill, a heritage site of Joshua's Trust: Step inside Connecticut's last standing stone gristmill and step back into history! 🎟️ Free admission 📍 129 Stonemill Road, Storrs ⏰ Open 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

🏀 J. Robert Donnelly Husky Heritage Sports Museum: The sights and sounds of more than a century of intercollegiate athletics competition come alive during a visit to this special UConn Huskies museum! 🎟️ Free admission 📍 2384 Alumni Drive, Storrs (inside the UConn Alumni Center) ⏰ Open 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

🍿 Mansfield Drive-in Theatre & Marketplace: Mention CT Open House Day at the gate and receive a coupon for a free popcorn at the snack bar! 🎟️ Purchase tickets https://mansfielddrivein.com 📍 228 Stafford Road, Mansfield ⏰ Gates open around 7:15 PM

06/13/2026

Join us today for Connecticut Open House Day! The Gurleyville Gristmill and The Atwood Farm will be open to the public from 1:00–4:00pm.

Peggy Church will be giving weaving demonstrations in the Weaver’s Cottage at The Atwood Farm (624 Wormwood Hill Rd, Mansfield Center, CT) and docents will be giving guided tours of the Gurleyville Gristmill.

Connecticut Open House Day is four days away and both of our incredible historical sites will be open for you to explore!

The Atwood Farm Museum will feature demonstrations in the Weaver's Cottage by weaver & volunteer Peggy Church, and the Gurleyville Gristmill will be offering guided tours for visitors.

Join us at either location between 1:00–4:00pm on Saturday, June 13th to explore these two incredible historic sites which are less than two miles down the road from each other.

Open House Day is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to attend!

More details here: https://bit.ly/43JsuVf

06/10/2026

See you on Saturday!

06/09/2026

Connecticut Open House Day is four days away and both of our incredible historical sites will be open for you to explore!

The Atwood Farm Museum will feature demonstrations in the Weaver's Cottage by weaver & volunteer Peggy Church, and the Gurleyville Gristmill will be offering guided tours for visitors.

Join us at either location between 1:00–4:00pm on Saturday, June 13th to explore these two incredible historic sites which are less than two miles down the road from each other.

Open House Day is free and open to the public. Families are encouraged to attend!

More details here: https://bit.ly/43JsuVf

06/09/2026

A peaceful morning in the Atwood Orchard.

06/08/2026

Last week, we shared a post with images of ferns found at Allanach-Wolf Woodlands and challenged you to identify them! Here are the answers....

If you want to learn more about identifying ferns, you can use our new 'Ferns of Allanach Wolf' guide to take a self-guided fern hike at this magical preserve in Windham. More information & the guide can be found here: https://bit.ly/3QaCROu

06/06/2026

There's still space to join along to Explore Utley Hill Preserve with Jim Cole, our incoming Board President on Sunday morning for Connecticut Trails Day!

Get ready to lace up your hiking boots! Connecticut Trails Day is just around the corner. Join Joshua's Trust incoming Board President Jim Cole for a guided hike on June 7th to explore Utley Hill Preserve in Columbia. There is limited space on this hike. Register now to reserve your spot!

The hike begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be cancelled in the event of rain. We recommend that you bring water, insect repellent and appropriate hiking gear. For more details and to register, visit
https://bit.ly/4vi1KXo

Connecticut Trails Day is a statewide weekend celebration of trails, coordinated by
as part of National Trails Day®. Join us for the nation’s largest
Trails Day event to promote recreation, connection, and stewardship of Connecticut's trails!

06/04/2026

Thanks to our stewardship team, the boardwalk at Knowlton Hill Preserve is back in action and ready for you to visit! 🛠️🪚

06/02/2026

Get ready to lace up your hiking boots! Connecticut Trails Day is just around the corner. Join Joshua's Trust incoming Board President Jim Cole for a guided hike on June 7th to explore Utley Hill Preserve in Columbia. There is limited space on this hike. Register now to reserve your spot!

The hike begins at 9:00 a.m. and will be cancelled in the event of rain. We recommend that you bring water, insect repellent and appropriate hiking gear. For more details and to register, visit
https://bit.ly/4vi1KXo

Connecticut Trails Day is a statewide weekend celebration of trails, coordinated by
as part of National Trails Day®. Join us for the nation’s largest
Trails Day event to promote recreation, connection, and stewardship of Connecticut's trails!

06/02/2026

Need a refreshing read? George's latest blog, Valley of Analogies, is posted on our website.

"My Merlin App is lighting up with migratory birds, all merrily greeting me on this spring stroll in Iron Mine Valley. These wet woods are awash with warblers. Dripping with yesterday’s rain, the earth smells fresh. The river frolics. And the beavers have built an elegant new dam. I came to pursue some blog inspiration. But my mind has already wandered into listening, looking, being present. I didn’t plan it, didn’t expect it. Have I become part of this place, or it part of me?" ....... Read the full post here: https://bit.ly/3RKJF5R