Unique Gifts found in Connecticut attractions

Are you in a quandary for an original gift idea?  A visit to museums in Connecticut will help you find the most amazing gifts for even the hardest to buy for on your holiday shopping list.

For history buffs, good place to start is at the Easton Historical Society. The Society is offering a special book titled The Aspetuc Chronicles, Narratives of Former Days in Easton and Weston, Connecticut by John Dimon Bradley.   This is a retrospective account of the author's early life growing up on the family farm, and as a young man coming of age, in the Post-Colonial era.  The setting of the events in The Aspetuc Chronicles-the house where John Dimon Bradley was born and grew up-is now known as the historic Bradley-Hubbell House on Black Rock Turnpike, Route 58, in Easton that is maintained by the Historical Society of Easton. The Chronicles are $15 each payable to the Historical Society of Easton. To order a book call (203) 581-0850 or email hseastonct@gmail.com.  To learn more about the Bradley-Hubbell House and Barn visit http://historicalsocietyofeastonct.org.

If you are a fan of Native American jewelry, a visit to the Four Directions Museum Gift Shop at the Institute for American Indian Studies located on 38 Curtis Rd. in Washington is the perfect place to buy one of a kind American Indian made pieces.  Here you can choose from a wide assortment of Southwestern jewelry, pottery, Northeastern baskets, colorful woven rugs, runners, pillows, Zuni fetishes, Kachina dolls, hand carved wooden sculptures, and artwork.  The book nook covers topics from archaeology to culture, children’s books to ethno-botany, spirituality to Native American crafts. For your musical pleasure the Institute offers drums, flutes and a variety of Native American CDs.  A special holiday sale is going on in December with a 10% discount on most items and a 20% discount for members. For more information call 860-868-0518 or visit www.iaismuseum.org.

The Design Store of The Glass House on 199 Elm St. in New Canaan is open this year through December 15 and is offering several unique items. The beautifully packaged Aphrodite bud vase is a “perfect little glass house” with its carefully handcrafted optic glass that has just enough space for a single stem. If you are looking for a minimalist watering can, designed to be on display look no further! The pointed spout facilitates watering even small pots and produces an even stream of water.  For something truly unusual, pick up the pottery of One of The Glass House’s first commissioned artists, Weston, CT-based Frances Palmer who has designed her one-of-a-kind irreverently-shaped bowls and vases based on inspiration from Philip Johnson and David Whitney’s succulent garden and 49-acre landscape. Available in Black or White glazed finish. $95. Tickets for the 2013 tour season are also available. For more information visit http://philipjohnsonglasshouse.org or call 203-594-9884. 

The Gunn Memorial Library and Museum on 5 Wykeham Road in Washington CT is exhibiting a fantasy world of miniature houses, furnishings, toys, and dolls through January 20.  Some of the dollhouses in this whimsical holiday display are on sale including the charming English Cottage by Teresa Layman as well as mansion styled dollhouses beautifully crafted by Rick Maccionne. For more information visit http://www.gunnlibrary.org/index.html or call 860-868-7756.

Lavendar Path located in Harwinton on 50 South Rd. in a 1783 Schoolhouse is offering a wonderful selection of vintage aprons that are mini works of art because each is made from scraps of fabric and trim.  Priced at $12 they are sure to bring a smile. For more information visit www.lavenderpathantiques.com or call 860-689-8081.

For area information visit www.visitwesternct.com.