Online Tourism Hub Will Connect Tourists and Residents With State’s Antiquing Community

(Hartford, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy and state Office of Tourism Director Randy Fiveash today announced the launch of the first-ever Connecticut Antiques Trail, a curated online guide to the finest antiquing experiences across the state.  The Antiques Trail winds through historical and scenic Connecticut, representing all five regions – Fairfield, New Haven, Mystic, Hartford and Litchfield – and featuring collections of varying styles, periods and price ranges to satisfy all antique enthusiasts.

“We launched the Connecticut Antiques Trail to create a more convenient way for residents and tourists alike to discover, explore and enjoy the very best destinations that the state’s antiquing community has to offer,” said Governor Malloy. “With the click of a button, we can connect people with everything from auction houses and historic inns to quaint boutiques located in every region of the state.”

The Antiques Trail can be found through the state’s official tourism website at www.CTvisit.com/AntiquesTrail and is organized by region and against the following categories detailed below: Shops & Centers, Auction Houses and Experiences, Outdoor Antiques Events & Shows, Historic Inns, Outdoor Antiques Events & Shows to make trip planning seamless. Further, the state’s website also features a variety of restaurants, attractions and destinations within each region to help plan the perfect Connecticut day-long antiquing adventure, weekday getaway or weekend escape.

“The creation of the Antiques Trail reinforces the revolutionary approach that we are taking to ensure that our residents and visitors can easily discover and enjoy the unique experiences that can be found in every area of Connecticut,” said Randy Fiveash, Director of Tourism.  “Many of New England’s earliest antique collectors were living in Hartford and the state continues to attract antique lovers from all over.  With the launch of the Antiques Trail we hope to introduce even more residents and visitors to this treasured Connecticut pastime and streamline trip planning along the way.”

Connecticut’s Antiques Shops and Centers

There are antiques shops, treasures and special finds waiting to be discovered all over Connecticut, ranging from large and sophisticated to smaller and quaint family-run businesses. With specialties in specific antiques fields, many renowned dealers and shop owners can offer their expertise and help guide a traveler’s search.

Litchfield Hills

·         Jeffrey Tillou Antiques: Offers a wide variety of collectibles from Continental/English furniture to American paintings to decorative arts and accessories. (Litchfield)

·         Rolling River Antiques: Experience an eclectic mix of antiques, mid-century and vintage furniture from around the world. (Kent)

·         Wayne Mattox Antiques: Displays paintings, folk art and American and European furniture. (Woodbury)

·         Madeline West Antiques: Wander through five rooms decorated in American, European and Asian antique furniture and accessories. (Woodbury)

·         Seymour Antiques Company: Find more than 80 dealers, antiques and curated house displays. (Seymour)

Fairfield

·         United House Wrecking Co.: Browse architectural salvage, antique and reproduction furniture, and unique furnishings for home and patio. (Stamford)

·         Antiques & Artisan Center: For a combination of antiques and design, see the offerings of over 60 vendors in stylized-room vignettes at this unique center. (Stamford)

·         Stratford Antique Center: More than 200 antiques and collectibles dealers. (Stratford)

·         Black Rock Antiques Center: A one-stop full service destination for live auctions, antiques, fine art, home furnishings, home accessories and beautiful works from local artists. (Bridgeport)

·         Michael Feinberg, Inc.: This wholesale/retail antique dealer – also known as Mara Fine Silver – specializes in fine antique English silver and silver-plate, tabletop, picture frames, baby and other fine gifts from the late 1700s and early 1800s. (Wilton)

Greater New Haven

·         Edwin C. Ahlberg Antiques: A family-owned antique business specializing in formal American and high-style country furniture. (Guilford)

·         Urban Miners: Offers a unique selection of used, salvaged goods and materials for any household, at an affordable price. (Hamden)

·         Old Beautiful: A shop of antique American furniture and accessories. (Clinton)

·         Hey-Dey Antiques: Shop has a diverse collection of gold, silver, jewelry, artwork, rugs and more. (Clinton)

River Valley

·         Rambling River Antiques, LLC: Group shop of over 30 dealers offering furniture, art, linens, nautical items, kitchenware, vintage clothing and collectibles. (Westbrook)

·         Old Saybrook Antiques Center: A multi-dealer group shop specializing in American/Continental furniture, silver, estate jewelry and glassware. (Old Saybrook)

·         Chubby Cherub Antiques & Collectibles: Features unique antiques, vintage items and collectibles. (Manchester)

·         The Mallard’s Nest: Search for antiques, collectibles, folk art, vinyl records and more at this charming country shop. (Stafford Springs)

Mystic Country

·         Nathan Liverant & Son Antiques, LLC: Renowned family-owned shop, with third-generation dealers in fine American art and antiques. (Colchester)

·         Antiques Marketplace: One of Connecticut’s oldest antiques mega-malls. (Putnam)

·         Grand & Water Antiques: Offers “antiques with a modern twist” including estate items, furniture, silver, porcelain and decorative accessories. (Stonington Borough)

·         The PAST Antiques Market and Museum at Nature’s Art Village: One of Connecticut’s newest antique shopping emporiums (opened in May) showcases antiques, home furnishing, glassware, collectibles from more than 60 dealers in one convenient location. (Oakdale)

Auction Houses and Experiences

Find authentic auction houses anywhere; from Litchfield Hills to Fairfield County to River Valley and beyond. Many locations hold live auctions weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly and feature merchandise from fine antiques and art, to estate jewelry, paintings, silver, books, rugs, collectibles and much more.

Litchfield Hills

·         Litchfield County Auctions: Bid on fresh-to-the-market property from estates and collections. Buyers, sellers and consignors are all welcome. (Litchfield)

·         Woodbury Auction, LLC: An auction services division of Thomas Schwenke Inc. antiques gallery in Woodbury. Featuring antiques, fine arts and decorative arts, this auction house provides personal service to both buyers and sellers. (Woodbury)

Fairfield

·         Fairfield Auction: Bid on antiques, furniture, decorative arts and fine arts, or simply take in the evening’s activities. (Monroe)

·         Stamford Auction: This full-service auction house offers an online catalog and Internet bidding, collecting and sharing a fresh inventory from Fairfield County estates. (Stamford)

Greater New Haven

·         Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers: Close to the coast, find a selection of antiques, fine art and decorative objects. Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers specializes in American and European paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries. (Milford)

·         Joseph Kabe Estate Auctions: Operating for more than 30 years, Joseph Kabe Estate Auctions handles single pieces or entire estates and offers appraisals. (Milford)

River Valley

·         Nest Egg Auctions: This family-owned auction house features online photography galleries, and an array of hidden treasures – including furniture, coins, paintings, sterling silver, clocks, estate jewelry and collectibles. Nest Egg also holds live auctions offering phone and absentee bidding open to the public. (Meriden)

·         Winter Associates, Inc.: This auction house specializes in estates, mid-century antiques, paintings, fine art, sculptures and porcelain treasures, selling over 25,000 pieces a year. (Plainville)

Mystic Country

·         Leone’s Auctioneers & Appraisers: Collectors of fine art and antique enthusiasts have been finding their treasures at this estate auction house since 1982. (Jewett City)

·         Russ Antiques & Auctions: Travel south to see what’s new to the market in antiques and fine and decorative arts from estates inventory. (Waterford)

Historic Inns

Across every region of the state, history enthusiasts are welcome to explore Connecticut’s charming historic inns. Each destination displays their own distinctive heritage, captivating antique lovers with history, alluring scenery and incomparable collections.

Litchfield Hills

·         The Inn at Kent Falls: With beautifully appointed guest rooms, The Inn at Kent Falls is ideal for romance, relaxation and rejuvenation. (Kent)

Fairfield

·         Roger Sherman Inn: The grand 1787 Roger Sherman Inn, offers a graceful getaway in a historical landmark bed and breakfast. (New Canaan)

Greater New Haven

·         Farnam Guest House: This historic mansion and bed and breakfast is situated in a gracious New Haven neighborhood where you’ll be close to shops, art galleries, restaurants and all of the energy of the Elm City. (New Haven)

Mystic Country

·         Whitehall Mansion Inn: Enjoy the charm and serenity of Mystic at the historic (circa 1771) Whitehall Mansion Inn with accommodations featuring period décor and close proximity to Mystic River. (Mystic)

River Valley

·         Griswold Inn: Built in 1776, this is one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the country. With New England-style furnishings, the Griswold Inn offers guests a lively taproom, a fine dining restaurant, and a popular wine bar. (Essex)

Outdoor Antiques Events & Shows

In spring, summer and fall, visitors are invited to shop in the open air at one of the state’s many outdoor antiques events. There are plenty of opportunities to leisurely sift through hundreds of items and explore outdoor antiques shows and markets across the state.

Litchfield Hills

·         May through November: Explore the Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, in New Milford, to discover seasonal items and antiques and collectibles – such as antique toys, old bottles, garden ornaments, dried flowers and weather vanes – all mixed in with some new merchandise too.

Fairfield

·         October 26: The Fall Antiques Market, in Wilton, features more than 100 exhibitors with antiques, folk art, furniture, prints, nautical antiques and other treasures.

Greater New Haven

·         August 23: Cap off the summer with the Madison Historical Society Antiques Fair, in Madison, with offerings from 75 antiques exhibitors, who will display 18th and 19th century American and European furniture, wicker, country collectibles, maps, Audubon bird prints, nautical antiques, shell art, and much more.

River Valley

·         September 20 – 21: Experience farming as it was in the past at the Antique Engine & Tractor Show, in Haddam. Take a hayride and see antique tractors, engines, hay machinery and farm equipment.

Mystic Country

·         July 26 – 27: View some of the most outstanding antique vessels from around the country during Mystic Seaport’s Antique & Classic Boat Rendezvous. The annual event showcases restored antique boats, cruisers, sailboats, runabouts, and launches – all built before 1970 –and ends with a three-mile parade down the Mystic River.

·         March through November: On the eastern side of the state in Mansfield is the Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace, one of Connecticut’s largest indoor and outdoor (held rain or shine) flea markets. This runs from late-March through November on Sundays only.

To learn more about Connecticut’s revolutionary attractions and destinations, join the Connecticut social community via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.

About The Connecticut Office of Tourism
In 2012, Connecticut’s Office of Tourism (COT), a division of the Department of Economic and Community Development, launched a new state brand identity, still revolutionary, a strategic marketing initiative designed to build pride among residents and bolster the state’s reputation as a business and tourism destination. Connecticut is home to fine dining and entertainment, serene beaches and hiking trails, historic treasures and world class museums. To obtain more information about Connecticut tourism or plan your next trip, visit www.CTvisit.com or call 1-888-CTvisit.