Area residents are invited to start their celebration of America’s 250th birthday a little early on June 28 at the opening reception of the summer art show at the Merwinsville Hotel in Gaylordsville, CT. From 2-4 p.m. the artwork created by local artists will be on display and strawberry shortcake will be served, along with iced tea and lemonade. Over 20 artists are sharing their creations with the theme of America’s 250 years.

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

Also happening this summer is the annual Orb Hunt, where glass orbs are hidden at the hotel and other historic and cultural organizations located in western Connecticut. Anyone who finds an orb in July or later in the summer is able to keep it but is asked to take a photo and register it online at www.merwinsvillehotel.org.

Almost all of the artwork in the Celebrate 250 Years Show is for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the operating budget of the hotel. The nonprofit is supported through 100 percent-volunteer efforts and 54 years of restoring the building, saving it from ruin. The 183-year-old building needs constant maintenance and renovation.

Admission to the show and the Summer Sunday Tours of the building are free. Donations are welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Merwinsville Hotel, 1 Browns Forge Rd., Gaylordsville, CT. Info: 860-350-4443, www.merwinsvillehotel.org
https://www.merwinsvillehotel.org