2026 GLASS ORB SCAVENGER HUNT
The Merwinsville Hotel Restoration has officially kicked off its 2026 Glass Orb Scavenger Hunt. This popular annual interactive event began in 2021 to commemorate the hotel's 50th anniversary of its restoration project. Sponsored by a generous donation from the New Milford Commission on the Arts, the 2026 hunt spans 26 historical sites and organizations across Litchfield and Fairfield Counties.
A total of 104 hand-blown glass orbs are hidden across the participating properties. Each site is allocated exactly four unique orbs:
- 3 clear glass orbs
- 1 colored glass orb
- Every glass orb is uniquely hand-crafted and bears specific identifying marks. To confirm you have found an official 2026 item, look for these details stamped directly into the glass:
- A unique identification number (numbered 1 through 104)
- The date 2026
- The historical stamp “MHR 50”
Special 250th American Anniversary Orbs
In addition to the standard clear orbs, this year's hunt features 26 patriotic orbs. These special editions celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. One patriotic orb is hidden at each of the 26 participating locations.
Official Hunt Rules & Guidelines
- Finders Keepers: Anyone who discovers an orb is welcome to keep it as a permanent souvenir.
- One Per Family: To ensure fairness, participants must strictly limit themselves to one orb per person or family.
- Registration: Once found, you can register your orb and upload a photo on the
Merwinsville Hotel Registration Page. This removes the orb number from the active hunt list. - Social Media Sharing: Finders are encouraged to share their discovery on social media using the event hashtags and tagging the specific venue where the orb was located.
- Verify Operating Hours: Because the orbs may be hidden indoors or outdoors, always check individual venue websites for current hours before visiting.
Participating Towns and Historical Locations
While exact hiding spots are confidential, the search spans across 26 sites in several towns, including:
- Gaylordsville and Surrounding: Merwinsville Hotel, Brown's Forge, Little Red Schoolhouse, Washington Oak Park, Sherman Historical Society.
- New Milford: Gallery 25, Harrybrooke Park, Merryall Center, New Milford Historical Society, The Silo, TheatreWorks, Village Center for the Arts, The Women's Club of New Milford.
- Kent and Surrounding: CT Antique Machinery Association, Eric Sloane Museum, Kent Historical Society, Litchfield Historical Society, Gunn Historical Museum in Washington.
- Danbury & Surrounding: Danbury Museum and Historical Society, Danbury Railway Museum, New Fairfield Historical Society/Preserve New Fairfield, Brookfield Craft Center, Keeler Tavern in Ridgefield.
