The Connecticut Summer at the Museum program is winding down. Connecticut children can receive free admission to more than 130 museums across the state through today.
The program was established in 2021 in response to the pandemic as a way of providing children with engaging summer enrichment and learning experiences. It is funded through a $15 million investment in federal funding Connecticut received from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Children aged 18 and under – plus one accompanying adult – can receive free admission to participating museums, historic sites, science centers, botanical gardens and zoos. Capacity may be limited at the participating entities. Connecticut residents should check each museum’s website to learn of any restrictions before visiting.
Some of the attractions in the Greater Danbury area include the Danbury Railway Museum, Harrybrooke Park in New Milford and Keeler Tavern Museum in Ridgefield.
The full list of participating museums is available at CTSummerMuseums.com.
While any museum in Connecticut can choose to participate, eligible properties had an opportunity to apply for grant funding to offset the cost of admission. More than 120 grants were awarded, calculated based on the applicant’s average revenue from children’s admissions over the same period for multiple years, plus a base award tied to operating budget. The minimum grant award is $1,000.
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development director of arts, preservation, and museums Liz Shapiro says these institutions play an important role in local communities and economies, plus they are rich canvases for socio-emotional development in young people. She notes that this is the only program of its kind in the United States.
Also participating are:
Danbury Museum, Danbury
Connecticut Antique Machinery Association Museum, Kent
Eric Sloane Museum, Kent
EverWonder Children's Museum, Newtown
Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield
Institute for American Indian Studies, Washington
Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Woodbury
