Past Events

• 

  39th Annual Autumn Arts & Fine Crafts Show Gala Preview

  
  

  GALA PREVIEW

  Hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beverages, live music from Mama Train, a great band, and a chance to preview and purchase artwork, photography, fine crafts, jewelry, and glassware.

  Those looking for gifts of original artwork by local artists will find a great variety of framed oil paintings, watercolors and photography. The fall show also features the work of artisans in glass, jewelry, woodwork, pottery and more.
  Many local artists take advantage of the shows offered at the Hotel to sell their work and support the ongoing restoration of the building. A portion of all sales benefit the Hotel.

   

  $30 in advance and $20 for hotel members
  $35 at the door

  • When: Friday, October 9, 2026 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
• 

  Annual Meeting and Pot Luck Dinner

  
  

  Open to all!

  Our Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner
  

  Join us for our annual pot luck dinner. This year’s theme is BARBEQUE- we’ll be supplying the main course, corn bread, and coleslaw - you can sign up to bring an appetizer, salad, side, or dessert.

  We are excited to welcome a representative from the Litchfield Historical will be sharing "Spies of the American Revolution: The Culper Spy Ring". Learn about the life of George Washington’s spy master, Benjamin Tallmadge. Discover how espionage developed during the Revolution as Tallmadge and the members of the Culper Spy Ring, successfully collected information about the British Army without being detected.

  6:00 - Final opportunity to vote for the "People’s Choice" art installation before we award the winner at the end of tonight’s progam.
  6:15 - Dinner
  7:00 - Brief member meeting
  7:15 - Speaker
  8:15 - People’s Choice Award

   

  • When: Friday, September 11, 2026 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• 

  Celebrate America's 250th birthday-Summer 2026

  
  

  The Merwinsville Hotel in Gaylordsville, CT, will hold a special summer art show celebrating the 250 years of America. This show will feature artwork created on the theme of America’s 250 years.

  The show opens with a reception on Sunday, June 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. and will be on display all summer on Sunday afternoons during the Hotel’s summer tours. Visitors will be asked to vote on the People’s Choice Awards. An end-of-show celebration will be held Sept. 11 at the Hotel’s Annual Meeting.

  This is also a juried show with cash prizes for entries in three different mediums: Painting/drawing; photography and mixed media. Artists are invited to sell their work and a portion of the proceeds goes to the historic hotel for its ongoing upkeep and restoration. The Hotel is supported through a 100 percent-volunteer nonprofit that has worked to restore the building for over 50 years. The 183-year-old building needs constant maintenance and renovation.

  Admission to the show and the Summer Sunday Tours of the building is free.

  The Merwinsville Hotel is on the National Registry of Historic Places located at 1 Browns Forge Road in Gaylordsville, CT, only 15 minutes from Kent, Sherman, New Milford and the Harlem Valley/Wingdale Railroad Station.

  • When: Sunday, June 28, 2026 to September 11, 2026 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
• 

  9th Annual Spring Arts and Fine Crafts Show - 2nd Weekend

  
  

  April 24 through 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Suggested Donation: $3 per person.
  Children under 10 free. Members are admitted free.

  Over 70 local artists and artisans will have work on display at the ninth annual show and a portion of all sales benefit the Merwinsville Hotel Restoration.
  The show features artwork in glass, photography, jewelry, woodturning, pottery and watercolors, oil and acrylic art and artist demonstrations on Saturday.

  
  Locally grown plants are also available for sale from Meadowbrook Garden in New Milford and Johnbela Gift, Garden, Landscape & Masonry in Gaylordsville.

  • When: Friday, April 24, 2026 to April 26, 2026 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  Give Local with Connecticut Community Foundation

  
  

  Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills is an extraordinary, fun and inspiring 36-hour online give-a-thon hosted by Connecticut Community Foundation that brings the community together as one—all to raise money and awareness for the vital work of hundreds of local nonprofits. Since 2013, Give Local has generated an astounding $17.2 million for our community, and the Merwinsville Hotel is thrilled to be part of this amazing event.

  Help the Hotel win prizes for participation and donations during this 36-hour giving campaign.
  Your gift could be dramatically increased based on various gift challenges that are happening throughout the two days.
  To donate, visit this link: https://www.givelocalccf.org/organizations/merwinsville-hotel-restoration-inc

  • When: Tuesday, April 21, 2026 to April 22, 2026 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
• 

  9th Annual Spring Arts and Fine Crafts Show

  
  

  April 17 through 19, AND April 24 through 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Suggested Donation: $3 per person.
  Children under 10 free. Members are admitted free.

  Over 70 local artists and artisans will have work on display at the ninth annual show and a portion of all sales benefit the Merwinsville Hotel Restoration.
  The show features artwork in glass, photography, jewelry, woodturning, pottery and watercolors, oil and acrylic art and artist demonstrations on both Saturdays .

  
  Locally grown plants are also available for sale from Meadowbrook Garden in New Milford and Johnbela Gift, Garden, Landscape & Masonry in Gaylordsville.

  • When: Friday, April 17, 2026 to April 19, 2026 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  SECOND WEEKEND OF THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS/HOLIDAY SHOW

  
  

  See the Hotel magically transformed for the holidays with an amazing collection of nutcrackers, Worlds Fair miniatures, Santa Claus collections, and more!

  Artwork for sale, along with holiday crafts, jewelry, ornaments, and much more. We are open 10am - 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday both weekends! Free admission.

  • When: Friday, December 5, 2025 to December 7, 2025 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  First Weekend Of The Annual Christmas/Holiday Show

  
  

  See the Hotel magically transformed for the holidays with an amazing collection of nutcrackers, Worlds Fair miniatures, Santa Claus collections, and more!

  Artwork for sale, along with holiday crafts, jewelry, ornaments, and much more. We are open 10am - 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday both weekends! Free admission.

  • When: Friday, November 28, 2025 to November 30, 2025 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  38th Annual Columbus Day Weekend Arts and Fine Crafts Show Continued!

  
  

  Those looking for gifts of original artwork by local artists will find a great variety of framed oil paintings, watercolors and photography. The fall show also features the work of artisans in glass, jewelry, woodwork, pottery and more.

  Many local artists take advantage of the shows offered at the Hotel to sell their work and support the ongoing restoration of the building. A portion of all sales benefit the Hotel.

  $3.00 suggested donation at the door. Children under 10 free and members are free.

  • When: Friday, October 17, 2025 to October 19, 2025 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  38th Annual Columbus Day Weekend Arts and Fine Crafts Show

  
  

  Those looking for gifts of original artwork by local artists will find a great variety of framed oil paintings, watercolors and photography. The fall show also features the work of artisans in glass, jewelry, woodwork, pottery and more.
  Many local artists take advantage of the shows offered at the Hotel to sell their work and support the ongoing restoration of the building. A portion of all sales benefit the Hotel.

  $3.00 suggested donation at the door. Children under 10 free and members are free.

  • When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 to October 13, 2025 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  38th Annual Columbus Day Weekend Arts & Fine Crafts Show Gala Preview

  
  

  GALA PREVIEW

  Hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beverages, live music from Mama Train, a great band, and a chance to preview and purchase artwork, photography, fine crafts, jewelry, and glassware.

  Those looking for gifts of original artwork by local artists will find a great variety of framed oil paintings, watercolors and photography. The fall show also features the work of artisans in glass, jewelry, woodwork, pottery and more.
  Many local artists take advantage of the shows offered at the Hotel to sell their work and support the ongoing restoration of the building. A portion of all sales benefit the Hotel.

   

  $30 in advance and $20 for hotel members
  $35 at the door

  • When: Friday, October 10, 2025 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
• 

  Annual Meeting and Pot Luck Dinner

  
  

  Open to all!

  We are trying something different for our Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner
  this year it is an Italian theme!

  Mark your calendars for Friday, Sept. 5 at 6:00 p.m. and signup online to bring an Italian dish to share: https://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=MKGZ6452.

  
  Our featured speaker at 7:30 pm is Deborah Shiflett-Fitton, Executive Director at the Kent Art Association.

  Deborah will share information about the founders of the Kent Art Association (KAA) and the Kent Art Colony which began in the early 1900s. While many of the artists were from Kent, two of them, Francis Luis Mora and Robert Hogg Nisbet, eventually lived in Gaylordsville and New Milford.
  
  Debbie has long roots in the area and she has a deep love of history as well as art. A member of the Kent Historical Society Board of Trustees, she will give us a sneak peek into a documentary film that is being created for the KAA by a local filmmaker on how Northwest CT was a magnet for artists in the early 20th century.

  
  Free admission

  • When: Friday, September 5, 2025 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
• 

  Give Local with Connecticut Community Foundation

  
  

  Give Local Greater Waterbury and Litchfield Hills is an extraordinary, fun and inspiring 36-hour online give-a-thon hosted by Connecticut Community Foundation that brings the community together as one—all to raise money and awareness for the vital work of hundreds of local nonprofits. Since 2013, Give Local has generated an astounding $17.2 million for our community, and the Merwinsville Hotel is thrilled to be part of this amazing event.

  Help the Hotel win prizes for participation and donations during this 36-hour giving campaign.
  Your gift could be dramatically increased based on various gift challenges that are happening throughout the two days.
  To donate, visit this link: https://www.givelocalccf.org/organizations/merwinsville-hotel-restoration-inc

  • When: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 to April 30, 2025 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
• 

  8th Annual Spring Arts and Fine Crafts Show - 2nd Weekend

  
  

  April 11 through 13 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Suggested Donation: $3 per person.
  Children under 10 free. Members are admitted free.

  
  Over 60 local artists and artisans will have work on display at the eigth annual show and a portion of all sales benefit the Merwinsville Hotel Restoration. The show features artwork in glass, photography, jewelry, woodturning, pottery and watercolors, oil and acrylic art and artist demonstrations on both weekends .

  
  Locally grown plants are also available for sale from Johnbela Gift and Garden and The Village Farm Shop and Greenhouse, both in Gaylordsville.

  • When: Friday, April 11, 2025 to April 13, 2025 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  8th Annual Spring Arts and Fine Crafts Show

  
  

  April 4 through 6, AND April 11 through 13 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  Suggested Donation: $3 per person.
  Children under 10 free. Members are admitted free.

  Over 70 local artists and artisans will have work on display at the eighth annual show and a portion of all sales benefit the Merwinsville Hotel Restoration.
  The show features artwork in glass, photography, jewelry, woodturning, pottery and watercolors, oil and acrylic art and artist demonstrations on both weekends .

  
  Locally grown plants are also available for sale from Meadowbrook Garden in New Milford and The Village Farm Shop and Greenhouse in Gaylordsville.

  • When: Friday, April 4, 2025 to April 6, 2025 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  Second Weekend Of The Annual Christmas/Holiday Show

  
  

  See the Hotel magically transformed for the holidays with an amazing collection of nutcrackers, Worlds Fair miniatures, Santa Claus collections, and more!

  Artwork for sale, along with holiday crafts, jewelry, ornaments, and much more. We are open 10am - 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday both weekends! Free admission.

  • When: Friday, December 6, 2024 to December 8, 2024 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  First Weekend Of The Annual Christmas/Holiday Show

  
  

  See the Hotel magically transformed for the holidays with an amazing collection of nutcrackers, Worlds Fair miniatures, Santa Claus collections, and more!

  Artwork for sale, along with holiday crafts, jewelry, ornaments, and much more. We are open 10am - 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday both weekends! Free admission.

  • When: Friday, November 29, 2024 to December 1, 2024 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
• 

  37th Annual Columbus Day Weekend Arts and Fine Crafts Show Continued!

  
  

  Those looking for gifts of original artwork by local artists will find a great variety of framed oil paintings, watercolors and photography. The fall show also features the work of artisans in glass, jewelry, woodwork, pottery and more.

  Many local artists take advantage of the shows offered at the Hotel to sell their work and support the ongoing restoration of the building. A portion of all sales benefit the Hotel.

  $3.00 suggested donation at the door. Children under 10 free and members are free.

  • When: Friday, October 18, 2024 to October 20, 2024 10:00 am to 5:00 pm