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For full current listing of Connecticut Museums, Go here.
Connecticut Magazine Profile Here!
Latest Posts:
2 Best Ice Creams: Dr. Mike’s & Timothy’s
2 Best of Pizzas: Modern Apizza and Colony Grill
Fried Clams at Sea Swirl in Mystic
North Winds Vineyard in Watertown
Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington
A visit to Mt. Tom State Park in Litchfield
A visit to Day Pond State Park in Colchester
John Brown Birthplace in Torrington
121. Garbage Museum in Stratford
3 Nat’l Historic Landmarks: Barnard, Colt, Johnson
Unique Statuary: Samuel Colt Memorial
168. Hall Memorial Library History Room, Ellington
171. Urban Museum of Modern Arch., New Haven
133. Philip Johnson’s Glass House, New Canaan
The Six National Champion Trees of Connecticut
Above: Damian and I crossing a non-metaphorical bridge together
I’ve lived in Connecticut since 1991 when I entered UConn. During the time since, I’ve lived in Storrs, Mansfield, Glastonbury, New Britain, Manchester, Cheshire, East Hampton, and now West Hartford. I’ve stayed with friends from Stamford to Brookfield to Ledyard. I’ve hiked in Canterbury, Newtown, Berlin – and camped out near Salisbury. I was on the cycling team while at UConn and have therefore ridden every backroad within 40 miles of campus. I used to ride Route 66 from Willimantic to Wesleyan in Middletown and back again in successive days. More than once I rode from Storrs to the small little towns out west on Route 44. Needless to say, I thought I knew this state pretty well, even if there are 169 independent towns in the state all told.
After all, Connecticut is the 3rd smallest state in the country and one can transverse the state from Union to just west of Danbury in under two hours. But if you were to make that trip, all along I-84, you’d be leaving a small, somewhat isolated, mainly rural and unspoiled town in the so-called Quiet Corner of the state, passing very near UConn, then cutting right through downtown Hartford, continuing west to suburban sprawl and McMansion towns, then splitting the still-rebounding post-industrial towns of New Britain, Bristol, and Waterbury and then finally, once west of there, driving into the richest county in America, Fairfield County, with its massive stone manors and absurd cost of living. One road, one state, 2 hours – vastly different worlds.
Philip Johnson’s Glass House, New Canaan
It turns out I don’t know anything about my home state. My wife Hoang and I had our first child, Damian, in late January 2006. (Read about our special challenges raising him here.) Among other far more important things, this meant that our lavish and lengthy vacations would be put on hold for a while. Our goal to climb to the highest point of all 50 states (ok, 49… and maybe it’s mainly just MY goal) would also be temporarily shelved, stuck at 17. I never had a purposeful thought to create another list or sought out something to do, just to have something to do at all.
But day after day on my way to pick up my son in New Britain after work, I would pass the above highway sign over and over. This is the sign that generated the idea… Why? Because what the heck was this “Industrial Museum?” I knew what the Youth Museum was (Hoang had been there as a child) and the New Britain Museum of American Art is fairly well-known in these parts, but neither she nor anyone else I asked had any inkling of the Industrial Museum’s existence, let alone what is was like. This got me thinking… Why not try to visit all the museums in Connecticut? Sure it would take a while, but how hard can it be to visit maybe 100 places – tops?
I began scouring the Internet to gather my list. Days turned into weeks as I kept finding hidden gems and different pathways to historical societies and out-of-the-way collections. The list grew past 300, 400, 500… It is hard to give an accurate tally because there are some museums that are only someone’s dream at this point, there are some that may disappear at any time, and several more that I can’t find sufficient information about. There are some gray areas regarding what exactly defines a museum. Over time, I’ve settled upon a slightly arbitrary system of worthiness which is subject to change and difficult to quantify. And really, with over 550 museums to visit, who’s going to complain?
I include anything that calls itself a museum, any town history “room” or display no matter how small (some are at libraries) but the most difficult determination is regarding art galleries. Some are permanent galleries with always changing exhibits – my thought is if they are not in business selling the art, then it’s a museum. This mostly applies to college art galleries like the ones at Wesleyan, St. Joseph’s College, and University of Bridgeport to name a few. I really like the American Association of Museum’s compiled definitions and think my blog is pretty much in line with that.
Autumn woods, Granby
Moreover, I’ve added to the madness by writing about my goal to hike CT’s major blue-blazed trails too – see Trails tab. There’s also the Wine Trail, Art Trail, various historic trails… Then there’s the “curiosities” tab which contains just that – all pertaining to CT; geographic extremes, caves, cemeteries, oldests, mosts, highests, etc. Lastly there’s the “ephemera” tab, which serves as a dumping ground for unrelated – yet somehow – related stuff like our Top 100 English novels of the 20th century, state highpoints, and wacky beverages projects.
That’s it – the genesis and growth of a slightly insane idea. A bunch of lists for me to check things off of to feel that warm sense of completion. I initially roped in my blogosphere superstar friend EdHill to join me for as many museums as possible (and to contribute his thoughts and pictures) as well as a game Hoang, a clueless Damian, some willing friends, and always unsuspecting tour guides. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: CTMQ is not, in any way, associated with any museums or other places discussed on this website. Nothing here is official, nothing is to be taken as gospel, and nothing should be used as your top resource for any museum, trail, restaurant, etc. I’m just one guy having some fun. So get out there yourselves and form your own opinions.
Hi, just read your article about Ct. museums, will try to go to some of these, I never knew some of them existed. However, thought you might like to know (maybe you already know about this one), about the First Agricultural School which originally was in Cornwall, Ct., but a few years ago, the state helped fund the moving of this school to Kent, Ct., at the Sloane-Stanley Museum, which you didn’t mention I don’t think. Just thought you’d like to know, the school is very interesting, with many of the original books etc. still there. Not sure of the year of the school, but it was founded by a Mr. Gold of Cornwall. The school is not open very often, except the last weekend in September, when the Connecticut Antique Machinery Show is held at the Sloane-Stanley Museum every year for 2 days. Hope this was helpful to you.
Comment #1 on 03.18.09 at 6:29 pmGreat article. Hope it encourages folks to visit sites that we often overlook or take for granted.
Comment #2 on 04.02.09 at 10:25 amYou have a great blog and provide a real service for those of us who don’t actually live there but want to visit. I should probably just say, “Linda Sent Me”, and I’ll be back. http://mouseski.blogspot.com/
Comment #3 on 04.15.09 at 8:32 amI came over to your blog the other evening via a search from people on my blog and I have to say that I am totally impressd and will be back time and time again so that I can find more neat little places in Conencticut to visit. Matter of fact, I was so impressed I did a post about your blog on my blog today – hope you don’t mind!
Great stuff here – I honestly think the State of Connecticut should be paying you!
Comment #4 on 04.15.09 at 10:40 amI came by via Linda….I will use your weblog if I ever come visit Connecticut…
when you’re finished there…come do California!
Comment #5 on 04.15.09 at 4:29 pmHi, I also am here via Linda (author of Are We There Yet?)
You have a great blog.
My husband and I will be checking out some of these places in our state. He’s from the Hartford area and I’m from the New Haven area so we both know something about different parts of Connecticut.
Comment #6 on 04.16.09 at 6:05 pmSteve,
Great job. Hey, we have 3 museums in Kansas…all devoted to wheat!
Uncle Jack
Comment #7 on 05.18.09 at 8:33 amI am fully convinced there is a recessive “museum” gene in the family. Yesterday I assumed the office of President of the Docent Guild of the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University in Atlanta GA. I write a column (titled the “Stone Column”, which is full of puns of course)for our docent newsletter, am attempting to set up a web-site for the guild, been know to play with maps and my GPS, love to “drop in†on locations on Google Earth and be nosey, hunt down on foot locations of obscure features not on the map, actually try to make everything I say in my tours and articles factual, took it upon myself to read a book a week in ’08 (and thereby putting a wayward neck vertebra totally out of whack which explains why I am not doing the same in ‘09), and generally annoy people with information. This can’t be coincidental considering I had zero influence on you as a child. If you ever need a consultant on Photography, or Ancient Art, especially Ancient Americas, here I am. Your Aunt Pat
Comment #8 on 05.22.09 at 1:04 pmAs my favorite state is New Mexico I wondered what NMMQ might be like. Wikipedia lists over 150 museums. I can think of some missing from their list. I have been to over 25 of them. All I would have to do is write up reviews and I’b be almost “20% Done” too. Unhuh. Okay, Okay, but the extra milage should count for something. – Aunt Pat
Comment #9 on 05.24.09 at 1:19 pmHi, Stephen,
I love this site. Amazing and entertaining resource.
I would love for you to take a look at the for Locally Grown History website, a collaboration among more than 90 museums, historical societies, agricultural sites, and other organizations to bring attention to Northwest Connecticut’s neglected historical treasures. Most exciting to you, perhaps, will be the map (designed by Bill Keegan) which plots these places out. If you enjoy the site, please consider going over to the Locally Grown History Facebook page, where we post news, pictures and links (I am putting up a link to your wonderful page).
All best,
Rob
Comment #10 on 06.09.09 at 10:28 amIs it bad that in the previous post I read “designed by Bill Keegan” to be “designed by Phil Keoghan”? I must be suffering from TAR withdrawal.
I’ve been reading a few museum reviews at a time. They are awesome and maybe someday we’ll get up there to see some of them. :)
Comment #11 on 07.16.09 at 4:42 pmI like the new map banner at the top of this intro page. I guess that’s a coffee cup at the corner? Much better than what looked like some sort of brown fungus consuming the state.
Comment #12 on 07.24.09 at 10:39 amYou haven’t mentioned the CTDAR Governor Jonathan Trumbull House & Wadsworth Stable Museums!!!!!
The home of the last governor of the Colony of CT, Governor Trumbull served throughout the Revolutionary War and was Governor of the State of CT as well!! The only Colonial Governor to support vocally and financially the struggle for our independence.
We’re at 169 West Town Street in Lebanon CT and open on Fridays from 1 – 6 pm, Sat. from 10am – 5pm and Sun. from 11am – 5pm.
The Stable was relocated from Hartford CT to save it from destruction. Formerly part of the Wadsworth Estate, Gen’l Washington’s favorite horse Nelson spent several days recovering from an injury. People like Washington, Lafayette, Rochambeau, Admiral de Tierny and others certainly visited their horses there when they met at the Wadsworth Estate to plan the Allied (French & American) forces attack on the British!
We are certainly worth the drive from anywhere.
Comment #13 on 08.19.09 at 4:08 pmCece – While I haven’t made it out to Lebanon yet, both museums are on the big list.
Thanks for the input.
Comment #14 on 08.19.09 at 4:53 pmi like how you kept the donut crumbs east of the river…where the trash belongs ;)
Comment #15 on 09.15.09 at 12:40 pmAs a homeschool family we find this site FASCINATING!!!! All of the wonderful things to see and do!!! Thank-You SOOOO much!!
Comment #16 on 11.03.09 at 4:58 amsaw the Industry museum on public access television! I want to check it out for myself :)
Comment #17 on 11.23.09 at 7:13 pmBumped into your site when looking for info on Pachaug. Great descriptions on your hiking trips. I love to take a topographic map and follow all the old trails that are forgotten about around our area. We live in Pachaug between Jewett City and Voluntown. I have worked in the museum community for almost 40 years and have a deep interest in both, self identified museums, and formally recognized Museums. Your blog has been book marked for future reference and comments. Thank you!
Comment #18 on 12.29.09 at 9:17 amRead your article in CT Magazine today. We gotta meet up.
I’m in the process of connecting Connecticut towns and cities to Mark Twain for the Twain 2010 Centennial…there is no doubt in my mind that you know of connections that no one else in CT knows of.
I’ve connected 55 towns and cities so far: http://twainproject.blogspot.com/2009/10/connecticut-mark-twain-connections.html
Let me know if you have anymore. This describes what we are trying to accomplish in 2010 and beyond: http://twainproject.blogspot.com/2010/01/twain-themed-connecticut-tourism.html
Look forward to hearing from you.
Comment #19 on 01.28.10 at 7:23 pmBrent
I have a question for you, oh – Museum Guru. :) I have a nine month old baby and I don’t know if there is anything suited for him in CT (like a sensory museum or something)? Did you come across anything like that?
Also, thank you for informing CT on all the great museums there are! I was born and raised in Manchester and you pretty much hit all the places there, one other you can try is a tour of one of the Cheney Mansions, I believe if you call the Historical Society they can set one up, they also have a historical bus tour around Manchester…don’t know if you are covering that in your list.
One other thing, when I was a little girl I remember traveling toward RI from Manchester (RT 2) and we had come across a doll Museum (somewhere around Norwich, I think). My mom thought to stop for me to see this place – the FREAKIEST museum EVER! HAHAHA…it was a house filled with scary looking dolls, it said something like “Doll House”, or “House of Dolls” in the front. Didn’t know if you ever came across it…anyways thanks again, I’m now officially saving this in my “favorites!”
Comment #20 on 05.03.10 at 10:45 amSteve,
I just stopped by your website again and I have to say every time I do, the picture on the “About” page of you and Damian is just so precious. Neither of your faces can be seen but the love and tenderness that is there is amazing.
Thanks also for the “Buy this Art” page. That was really nice of you. Ben recently was commissioned by a vet in Colorado (the vet that was on the Puppy Bowl this year) to paint her 3 pugs. She was so thrilled with his painting that she flew out here 2 weeks ago to pick up the original painting in person because she wanted to meet Ben. It was an edifying moment for him and made us very proud!
Comment #21 on 06.17.10 at 8:52 amLove this site–am always glad to find it when I’m googling things to see and do in Connecticut. You’re an excellent writer and your experiences are very much appreciated.
Comment #22 on 07.14.10 at 6:17 pm