Enjoy State's Museums For Free This Summer

Alice Cooper says "School is Out For Summer," but it doesn't mean the learning ends.

And what could be better than learning — and having fun — at the state's museums?

According to the State of Connecticut, children being able to learn at museums this summer for free just might eclipse that.

Gov. Ned Lamont Wednesday announced the popular state program "Connecticut Summer at the Museum" is returning for the 2022 summer season.

This enables Connecticut children to receive free admission at more than 130 museums across the state during the summer months.

The governor established the program in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of providing children with engaging summer enrichment and learning experiences.

It is funded through a $15 million investment in federal COVID-19 recovery funding Connecticut received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

Under the program, from July 1, which is this Friday, to Sept. 5, 2022, Connecticut children aged 18 and under – plus one accompanying Connecticut adult – can receive free admission to any of the participating museums.

Among them are historic house museums, historic sites, historical societies, art museums, children’s museums, science centers, special-interest museums, natural history museums, university museums, arboretums/botanical gardens and zoos.

In the Hartford area, those museums include:
•The Connecticut Science Center, Hartford
• Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington
• 65 Pine Grove Schoolhouse, Avon
• Avon Historical Society, Avon
• Barnes Museum, Southington
• Children's Museum, West Hartford
• Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford
• Connecticut Landmarks sites, Hartford
• Connecticut's Old State House, Hartford
• Farmington Historical Society, Farmington
• Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford
• Mark Twain House & Museum, Hartford
• Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, West Hartford
• Real Art Ways, Hartford
• Simsbury Historical Society, Simsbury
• Stanley-Whitman House, Farmington
• University of Saint Joseph Art Museum, West Hartford
• Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford
• Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, Wethersfield
• Wethersfield Historical Society, Wethersfield

“We are thrilled to bring back this popular summer enrichment program for Connecticut kids and families at a time when affordability is top of mind for so many households,” Lamont said. “The world-class museums and cultural institutions across Connecticut offer unmatched educational and recreational experiences that will keep kids engaged all season long and spark curiosity for years to come.”

The program is being administered by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development’s Office of the Arts and Connecticut Humanities in partnership with the Office of the Governor, Connecticut State Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood and Office of Tourism.

While any museum can participate in the program by offering free admission, eligible properties had an opportunity to apply for grant funding.

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.

Lamont also said all public transit buses in Connecticut are operating fare-free through Nov. 30 and are a convenient way of receiving transportation to many of these destinations.

For the full announcement of the 2022 Connecticut Summer at the Museum Program, click on this link.

For a list of all participating museums by county, click on this link.