State museums cutting back hours

Guilford (WTNH) - While Governor Rell is preparing to once again launching the state's staycation initiative, keeping folks closer to home this summer could be more difficult this year because of the state's budget problems.

It's an economic catch-22. The state is encouraging people to take staycations and do things in Connecticut this summer to save money in these tough times, but because of the tough times, several state museums are cutting back on hours and raising admission prices.

The staycation idea began last summer when gas was heading up towards $4 a gallon. Folks could save money by staying close to home for their vacations, and local attractions could make money from the extra business.

The Governor's office says 71% of Connecticut residents plan to stay close to home again this summer. Gas isn't the problem, overall money problems are. But the state has its own money problems and has mandated some belt tightening. That includes cutbacks for state attractions such as:

• The Prudence Crandall Museum in Canterbury
• Old New Gate Prison in East Granby
• The Sloane Stanley Museum in Kent
• Henry Whitfield Museum in Guilford

Some of these cutbacks are pretty severe. The Prudence Crandall Museum is only going to be open two days a month, that's down from four days a week last summer. The Whitfield, Connecticut's oldest house, in case you didn't know, will still be open Wednesday through Sunday, according to its web site.