72. New Britain Youth Museum

Youth of Today
New Britain
(Google Maps Location)
September 27, 2008

mq72j.jpgGrowing up, I was mostly influenced by my older brother. In the early to mid-eighties, he (and therefore, I) started getting into punk and hardcore music. I was never a social outcast or anything, I was simply drawn to the hard, fast, angry-yet-positive message of those types of bands back in the day.

One of those bands was Youth of Today, whose lead singer happened to be from Connecticut. The Connecticut hardcore scene was pretty intense for a good long while – and still exists, which UConn attendee and friend Jamey Jasta keeps alive with his various bands, notably Hatebreed. Man, I remember going to Jasta 14 shows back in the day with 20 people, and now he hosts Headbanger’s Ball. Crazy. What in the world does this have to do with New Britain’s Youth Museum? Absolutely nothing, I just thought I’d share.

mq72e1.jpgOh sure, I could talk about how this spartan museum seems to embrace the punk DIY and keeping-it-real ethics. And how the curators apparently don’t care about what YOU think… This is their little museum and this is what you get, so get out of my face, you squares.

Before we get going it must be noted that Damian totally dug this place. It marked the first time, I think, where we had to drag him out of somewhere happy. There were a couple factors: We were with our friends Caroline and Scott whom Damian really likes and we also ran into his physical therapist and her family there as well. And Damian loves all of his therapists. So… so many therapists.

mq72c1.jpgThe New Britain Youth Museum, founded in 1956, encourages children and families to explore the history and cultures of Connecticut and the world. The museum in downtown New Britain offers school programming outreach, exhibits and special events that focus on history, art and the cultural heritage of the diverse peoples of central Connecticut.

There are actually two New Britain Youth museums – the other one is out at Hungerford Park in Kensington and offers educational programming, exhibits and special events that relate to science, natural history, the environment and other issues confronting today’s society. But that’s for a different – non-pouring rain day.

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“Aunt” Caroline offering to buy Damian whatever he wanted. He chose nothing.

It certainly seems that the folks who run this place put most of their efforts into the Hungerford Park location. The large majority of their website is devoted to it and most Google searches hit that location first.

How cool is the name? “Youth Museum.” Eschewing the much more common “Children’s Museum,” this place – as I’ve said – plays by its own rules. And how about their building?

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A bold mix of Pueblo Indian adobe, Cold War sparseness, and mid-century modern greets visitors.

And note in the bottom right-hand window the hand-written “Open” sign. The punk ethic is strong. We entered and were initially a bit off-guard. Well, Caroline was anyway, being new to the “tiny museums in not-the-best locales” thing. Hoang, who grew up in Hard Hittin’ New Britain didn’t flinch. Scott, whose dad was once the Chief of Police in town jumped in head first.

Damian led the way off to the right (where his PT was) and explored all that the room had to offer. And what’s that? Only… The entire world. Yes, in a series of displays the Youth Museum globe trots from South America to Europe, from Asia to New Zealand and back again by way of Africa.

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Ah yes, Hollywood pirates played an important role in the history of… of… Disneyland?

It’s a rather meaty undertaking, as the world and all its various cultures are rather extensive. Each display case has a short blurb about the region, a few dolls, a map, some pictures, and perhaps an indigenous item or two. For those of you who don’t feel like heading to one of those fancy dan natural history museums to plunk down ten to twenty bucks only to spend and entire day immersing yourself in the history of a certain people and/or region, this is the place for you.

Where else can you learn about “Asia” through nine pictures, two short blurbs, two dolls, and some Chinese characthers on silk?

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All you ever needed to know about Asia (beautiful Asian woman not included).

Which reminds me, I was pretty dumb for not taking a similar picture of Caroline in front of the “Mediterranean” display. Sigh, I hate missed opportunities that no one will care about other than maybe me and Scott.

Damian really enjoyed the world map carpet there and the large stuffed animals to play with. He particularly liked the penguin and despite our best efforts to have him place him “night-night” in Antarctica, he kept tucking him in elsewhere. Let’s move along.

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Behind the tour of the world is a puppet theater. I’m not sure how it works since the seats seem to be backwards, but whatever. Scott put on a show for us all with a tiger eating a princess. Damian became distracted, though, with the eight black boxes which light up upon the push of a button.

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Aww, he’s so cute. But wait a minute… can you read what the carpet says in the lower left? It says, “Asia Yellow.” Hmmm, that’s strange. And… That’s Racist! (apologies to the great angry asian man.)

And when they light up, they reveal their often creepy/strange contents. I can’t remember exactly what most of them were – but there was a piece of wood in one and a piece of brain coral in another. Damian didn’t care… which I guess is the point.

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Damian about to push a button to reveal… a leaf.

Outside is a little herb garden for some reason. That’s nice.

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I included the second picture of the tiny garden only because of Caroline’s cameo. It cracks me up.

Back inside, there is another room which is an odd mix of local geology, paleontology, and playscape. “Oh surely that works,” you say. No. Not really. But again – Damian loved it. He slid down the slide above the sign explaining the leading theory on how the dinosaurs died. He climbed over the bridge where were learned that we are drinking the same water today as the dinos did 100 million years ago. He poked around in the “cave” which explained nothing but held a few toys.

mq72m.jpgScott and I roamed the room, reading signs about our local basalt traprock. As all CTMQ readers know, anytime our beloved Metacomet Ridge is mentioned, I must link my Metacomet Trail hike.

This room is used for various programs and crafting and even birthday parties. The Youth Museum does indeed have educational programs of all sorts for the youth, and I’m sure they are quite good. The woman from the museum kept plying us with various brochures touting these very programs, which I’m looking at right now. It looks like a return visit is on the horizon!

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On November 20th, it’s a Thanksgiving Party! “Bring in a canned good or non-perishable item and receive a free pencil!” Five days later there is an animal program titled simply, “Turkey.” And, “Meet our turkey.” Hm. Will they chop his head off and cook him up?

The lady didn’t appear desperate to have us attend, but did seem a little pleading. I think we can all admit that a free pencil is not exactly enticing. But hey, that’s the New Britain Youth Museum – which is FREE – and that’s how they roll.

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I’m not sure why a youth museum has a winged dragon as an emblem. But whatever.

Yes, it’s a bit limited and yes it doesn’t appear to have been updated much from their original 1956 design, but it’s a fun little FREE place for the youth to hang out, make some paper crafts, learn about dinosaurs and herbs and Asia and Mexican holidays.

This place is the definition of punk.

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I love this picture. Hoang looking a bit embarrassed, Damian rolling his eyes, and Caroline saying, “Um, what did I just spend 45 minutes doing?”

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Cost: Free!
Hours: Tue 10-5, Wed-Fri 12-5, Sat 10-4
Food & Drink? Buck up and enjoy Miss Washington’s Diner (at your own risk)
Children? Absolutely!
You’ll like it if: Random is your middle name
You won’t like it if: You are uppity
Freebies: Any crafts you complete

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For the Curious:

New Britain Youth Museum
Asia
Actual racist old Jello commercial
Youth of Today at City Gardens in 1988. Welcome to my awesome youth.
Hatebreed “Defeatist” video. Welcome to my awesome adulthood.
Fugazi “Repeater” video from a show I attended. Just because.

One response to “72. New Britain Youth Museum”

  1. Caroline..."The" Caroline says:

    You can’t even imagine our excitment at our CTMQ debut! I’ve arranged for an agent and an entourage. Scott especially liked your making fun of me continuously. It’s his favorite pastime.

    I learned more about the musuem reading it from you then from being there. I didn’t even know I was part of a punk movement –I would have broken more things.

    That was a great day. We had a lot of fun and look forward to being returning characters. Scott misses you.

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