Top 7 Connecticut Museums

On a rainy day in the middle of March or May, there are still things to do in Lakeville, Connecticut. Whether you are visiting the area with young children or your oldest family members, there is an array of museums to choose from. 

We have several art museums, historical museums and children’s museums in the area. Each one offering a unique experience, with plenty to see and do. 

Choose from the list of museums below, and let the adventure begin!

KidsPlay Children’s Museum

If you are traveling to Lakeville, Connecticut then this is the perfect option for you. The museum is both interactive and amusing, offering an environment that is imaginative and creative. The exhibits and play will deepen your child’s appreciation and understanding of the sciences, the arts and the world around them.

The museum is a place where your child can learn through hands-o and multi-sensory activities, while practicing developmental skills such as role-playing, sharing and communicating. It is commonly geared toward children between the ages of 1 and 10, with a focus on sparking curiosity and motivating learning. 

Kent Historical Society

History is no longer a mystery at Kent Historical Society. The museum was founded in 1954 and included 28 charter members. Regular meetings were held at the Kent Memorial Library where the members set out to collect everything they could acquire relating to the area. 

Today, there are more than 400 members and two historical buildings. The museum offers education and outreach programming, including annual classes with five of the eight grammar school grades, a lecture series, annual historical exhibits, historical publications, and hands-on activities for both children and families. 

Falls Village Canaan Historical Society

Another historical society to commemorate the town of Cannan, Connecticut. The Falls Village Canaan Historical Society shares local genealogical archives, historical and educational resources including railroading, the iron ore industry, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. 

Last but not least, the historical society displays significant examples of local architecture, period pieces, textiles, and artwork. The overall purpose is to preserve and hand down Canaan (Falls Village), North Canaan and the surrounding areas to its future generations. 

Ashley House

If you are up for a drive, the Ashley House is a great option! The museum served as the home of the Deerfield’s during the 18th-century, including furnishings of the Connecticut River elite and English ceramics. The house itself is an example of Deerfield’s first 18th-century building boom. 

The Ashley House was the first restoration opened to the public in 1948 by the founders of Historic Deerfield, Henry, and Helen Geier Flynt. Guided tours of the museum are available on the hour during the regular season from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. ly environmentalist, Eric Sloane.

Connecticut Antique Machinery 

The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association (CAMA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit museum dedicated to the preservation, restoration and demonstration of antique machinery from the industrial and agricultural past. They have an 8-acre museum campus that is maintained by volunteers. 

Their main focus is to educate the general public regarding American machinery in the early industrial and agricultural times. There are ten main areas of focus with exhibits relating to each area. For more information regarding each focus, visit their website. 

New Britain Museum of American Art

Art is therapy. The New Britain Museum of American Art was founded in 1903 and was designated as the first museum to focus on American art in the country. The majority of the art is defined as ‘modern’ meaning American works of art. There are now over 8,300 pieces of art in the museum. 

The museum has a singular focus on American art and its panoramic view of American artistic achievement. It is a significant teaching resource that is available to the local, regional, and national public.

Hill-Stead Museum 

The Hill-Stead Museum is located in Farmington, Connecticut and serves diverse audiences in Connecticut and beyond. It is a welcoming place for learning, reflection, and enjoyment. 

The museum develops, preserves, documents, displays and interprets its exceptional impressionist paintings. In addition, the museum displays a 1901 historic house and 152-acre landscape that will benefit the present and future generations.