The Museum of Connecticut History invites teachers and students of all ages to discover the political, industrial and military history of our state. Each year 20,000 children visit our exhibits to learn about the role Connecticut has played in the development of our nation from the colonial era to the present.
Scheduling Group Visits to the Museum
The Museum of Connecticut History is open to the public Monday -Friday 9am-4pm and Saturdays 9am-2pm. The museum is closed Sundays and State holidays. Admission is free.
Groups often combine a tour of the State Capitol with a visit to the Museum of Connecticut History. To arrange this please contact the League of Women Voters at the State Capitol at 860-240-0222 or at their website.
If your group would ONLY like to visit the Museum of Connecticut History please contact Patrick Smith, Education Curator at 860-757-6534 or [email protected] for further information. Currently, visits to the museum are self-guided; if available a museum staff member will greet your group and provide a brief orientation to the museum. View our “Guidelines for Group Visits” page. To make your visit more enjoyable, see also: Museum Highlights.
Hands on History in Your Classroom!
The museum now offers two outreach education programs that are presented in your classroom. Connecticut Invents! and A Connecticut Sampler both bring stories of Connecticut’s history to life through hands on activities and exploration. Learn more by reading the program descriptions below.
Connecticut Invents! focuses on famous and not so famous Connecticut inventors and their inventions. The program is best suited for students in the upper elementary and middle school grades and has been designed to meet a number of State of Connecticut Department of Education standards in history and technology education. Students will discover the many inventors and inventions that have come from Connecticut and will also get a chance to become inventors themselves with hands on activities. The program is 60 minutes in length and can be presented up to four times during one school visit. Maximum participation is 25 students per program.
A Connecticut Sampler is an exploration of Connecticut’s political, military and industrial history using objects, role play and hands on activities. Students will relive the legend of the Charter Oak, discover some famous Connecticut inventors and inventions, and learn about the role Connecticut soldiers have played in the defense of our nation from the American Revolution to the present. We’ll also have some fun with Connecticut’s nicknames, state symbols and your local history. Overall it is a great introduction or summary of 300+ years of Connecticut history. This program is best suited for students in third grade and above. The program is 60 minutes in length and can be presented up to four times during one school visit. Maximum participation is 25 students per program.
In order to enhance these programs and offset the expense of materials, we suggest you make a donation of $25.00 per program presentation to the Connecticut Heritage Foundation. Dates and times are limited but we will do our best to work with your schedule.
To learn more about Connecticut Invents! or A Connecticut Sampler please call Patrick Smith, Education Curator at 860-757-6534 or email Patrick Smith.