Museums and Galleries
Museums in Hartford, Connecticut range from fine art to circus history
11 listings
Hartford, CT
Mark Twain House & Museum
351 Farmington Avenue 860-247-0998Step into the home of the author who created “The Gilded Age”
Walk in the rooms and hallways where Samuel Clemens walked and reconnect to the author who gave us Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, and other beloved characters. At the Mark Twain House & Museum, daily tours take you through the richly decorated rooms of this lovingly restored Victorian home, which Clemens said was the site of the happiest years of his life. The museum’s collection of 16,000 artifacts includes period furniture, paintings, photos, first editions, and books by other authors with notes from Clemens in the margins. Rotating special exhibits and talks on everything from the Gilded Age to abolitionists make the National Historic Landmark a must for history and literature buffs. There’s an extensive museum store and a cafe serving food from local vendors.
Essex, CT
Connecticut River Museum
67 Main Street, Steamboat Dock 860-767-8269River museum’s exhibits, murals — and sailing excursions — educate and entertain
Explore art, history, and the environment — and have a fun time doing it — at the CT River Museum, celebrating its 50th anniversary. Permanent exhibits explore the River’s history from Indigenous peoples through the 20th century, and illustrate its environmental impact and importance in the region for water power, quarrying and the fishing industry. A vertical mural of the river winds up and down three floors of a Museum stairwell. Changing exhibits on the third floor explore art, history, and the environment. Day and sunset cruises are also offered aboard the Onrust, a re-creation of a 1614 vessel; and the RiverQuest, a 64-foot eco-tour boat. Learn about the River’s wildlife, observe bald eagles, or just enjoy a quiet sunset cruise. On Thursday evenings in July and August, live music is provided dockside.
Wethersfield, CT
Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum
211 Main Street 860-529-0612This museum consists of three houses, each built in the 18th century. Two are now National Historic Landmarks, with each furnished to represent a different period in American history. In 1781, on this site, Washington and his partners planned their strategy that led to the American victory at Yorktown. Tours begin every hour on the hour up until 3 p.m.
Admission: Adults, $6, seniors, $5, students, $2.50.
Hartford, CT
Connecticut Science Center
250 Columbus Blvd. 860-724-3623A visit to the Center is a high-impact learning experience in a green, clean, bright, and stimulating environment. Adults and children alike will find entertainment and educational value in hands-on, engaging, and exciting exhibits and programs that emphasize current science and science you can use every day. Open year-round. Hours Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: Adults, $21.95; seniors above age 65, $19.95; youth ages 3 to 17, $14.95. Information: www.ctsciencecenter.org
Bristol, CT
Imagine Nation Children's Museum
1 Pleasant Street 860-314-1400This science museum for kids age 2 to 10 is packed with fun exhibits that allow children to dig into science projects and experiments of all kinds. Some activities that will fascinate children are the Sandsational Sand Pendulum; the Gravity Well; the Tuning Fork Table; a construction zone; Dolls of the World; and Waterplay. Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Admission: $4 per person.
New Britain, CT
New Britain Industrial Museum
185 Main Street 860-832-8654This history of manufacturing in Central Connecticut is detailed in this museum, featuring exhibits of products made in the region over the past 200 years. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 2-5 p.m.; Wednesdays. noon-5 p.m. Admission: free. Information: www.nbim.org/
Hartford, CT
Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
77 Forest Street 860-522-9258Listed as a National Historic Landmark and a stop on the Connecticut Freedom Trail as well as on the Connecticut Women’s Heritage Trail, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center is a treasure trove of collections that illuminate the life of and issues that stirred the famous abolitionist author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Rotating exhibits deal with the life of slaves and the role of women. Collections include paintings (some by the author), memorabilia inspired by “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” the dining table where the book was written, decorative arts, rare manuscripts, drawings and household furnishings from the Beecher and Stowe families. In all, 228,000 items illustrate the lives and times of Stowe and her family. Interactive tours of her Victorian Gothic cottage leave visitors inspired.
Hartford, CT
Museum of Connecticut History
231 Capitol Avenue 860-566-3056Historic documents, including Connecticut's Royal Charter, are just part of the exhibit material in this museum. Special exhibits feature Colt firearms, Connecticut's Governors and changing exhibits. Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed on state holidays Admission: free. Information: www.museumofcthistory.org/
Windsor, CT
Luddy/Taylor Connecticut Valley Tobacco Museum
Northwest Park, 135 Lang Rd. 860-285-1888Displays of artifacts and history of "Tobacco Valley." Tobacco curing shed houses exhibits of early and modern equipment. Other facility exhibits photographs, writings, and other documents. Hours: March-mid-December, Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday, noon-4 p.m. and by appointment Admission: Free. Information: www.tobaccohistsoc.org/
Manchester, CT
Old Manchester Museum
126 Cedar Street 860-647-9983Local historical artifacts including Pitkin Glass Works, Cheney Brothers Silk Mills, Bon Ami Soap Co., military memorial. Manchester Sports Hall of Fame, research and genealogy library, gift shop. Hours: Weekends, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: Adults, $2; children age 16 and younger, free. Information: http://bit.ly/SPcftr
East Windsor, CT
Connecticut Trolley Museum
58 North Road (Route 140) 860-627-6540Three-mile round trip ride on antique trolleys. Tour the Visitor's Center display and stationary trolleys. Gift shop, deli and cafe. Hours: Charters only from January through March; April to Memorial Day, Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m.; Memorial Day to Labor Day, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4 p.m.; Sundays in October, Pumpkin Patch rides Admission: Adults, $8.50; seniors, $7.50; children age 2-12, $5.50. Information: www.ct-trolley.org.