​Dear Guests,

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What follows are Instructions for locating THE SECRET DOORWAY to Musée Patamécanique. 

 

Please Note: We generally collect Admission and Guest Agreement Forms before our tours depart - but if you're entering the museum through the Secret Doorway we must collect these materials via "The Honor System". All tours are CASH ONLY. Please deposit your $100.00 per group and guest agreement forms in the receptacle on the garden table or on the shelf as you enter the museum. The receptacle will be clearly marked.   

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The good news is that you will no longer need to recite your tasty letters!

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It is extremely important that you begin following these instructions at your pre arranged tour departure time. You MUST be prompt. If you arrive too early the doorway will be locked. If you come too late, the doorway will vanish! The doorway is a 5 minute walk (Or a 1 minute drive with plenty of parking) from all of our regular departure locations - so there is no need to rush if this is a last minute change in plans due to weather. You will be outside, but only briefly - so bring an umbrella if you can!

 

Step 1, Arrive at the municipal parking lot ACROSS THE STREET from the Bristol Historical Society at your scheduled departure time. You can usually find a parking spot here without any trouble. DO NOT come early.

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Here is a photo of the parking lot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a photo of the Bristol Historical Society that's directly across the street. The Historical Society offices occupy an old jail-house. This building is made of stone with an ornate wooden awning over the front door. Exit your vehicle and go to THE BACK of this building.

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The address for the Historical Society is: 48 Court Street Bristol, RI  02809.

 

Here is a link to a Google Map of this location.

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At the rear of the building you will come upon the Pozzi Playhouse. 

 

This charming 2 story child’s playhouse was begun by the late beloved Bristol Architect Lombard Pozzi when he was just 10 years old. The story goes that whenever Lombard seemed restless his mother sent him out into the backyard to build things, and he built playhouses, LOTS of them.

 

In its heyday, the house was popular with the neighborhood kids. Plenty of people who lived near Lombard grew up playing in this house. There are numerous stories and urban legends passed down including bridges linking the play-house to tree-forts and underground tunnels connecting it to other structures on the property – and beyond. While it stayed on the Pozzi property for many years it was recently relocated the garden behindthe Historic Society building.

 

The playhouse was still very much alive at the time of the move, with checker pieces falling out of the house as it was being transported.

 

Step 3, When you get to the Pozzi playhouse – look around. Make sure nobody is watching you.

 

Step 4, When you're sure that nobody is watching, discreetly walk around to the BACK of the play-house.  Here you will find THE SECRET DOORWAY. Open the doorway and read the instructions posted within very carefully before taking another step. These hidden passages will take you directly to Musée Patamécanique in less than 5 minutes.

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Below is a link to a printable word document version of this page. We recommend that you print a copy to take along with you on the night of your visit. We have found that Google Chrome is the most reliable browser for downloading this document.