Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Press Releases

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11/11/2018

Celebrate A Storybook Holiday!

Enter a world of wonder and explore your favorite fairytales and fables!  Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby, Connecticut and enjoy “A Storybook Holiday”!  From Aesop’s Fables to “The Snow Queen”, this season each room represents the most popular children’s tales in Western literature.  The holiday tours will run from November 23 through December 16.  Tours will be offered Thursdays through Sundays from 10AM to 4PM.  On Fridays, November 30, December 7 and 14, the museum will present “Twilight Tours” to display the shimmering glow of the decorations from 4PM to 7PM.   
For more than thirty years, volunteers have created the gorgeous holiday decorations at the museum.  These talented and committed volunteers are Derby Garden Society, Derby Neck Library & Hubbell Farm, Garden Club of Orange, Long Hill Garden Club, Naugatuck Garden Club, Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, Jen Plasky of American Institute of Floral Design, Women Redefining Retirement Milford, Woodbridge Garden Club, and Ye Olde Kellogg Garden Club. 

This year’s holiday theme will pay tribute to the Osborne family and children’s literature.  The family promoted literacy in various ways.  Major Wilbur Osborne along with local teachers and neighbors founded Derby Neck Library.  Later on his daughter Frances Osborne Kellogg became president of the board of directors and donated gifts to the library.   Also Frances’ aunt Helen Krehbiel wrote stories and poems with moral lessons. 
Visit the Osborne Homestead Museum and open a page into the wonderful world of “Storybook Holiday”!  Admission is FREE and donations are accepted. The Osborne Homestead Museum, operated by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, is located off Route 34 on 500 Hawthorne Avenue in Derby, CT.   To register for group tours and for more information, please call (203) 734-2513 or email susan.d.robinson@ct.gov.
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