A Modern Gem: The Connecticut Historical Society Museum & Library

PLEASE NOTE: This post was originally written in 2012. While it should still give you a great idea of the overall experience, it is also possible that some information may be outdated. We encourage you to check out their website for the most up to date information, especially for details like hours and pricing. If you notice something in this post that needs to be updated, please feel free to leave a comment with the updated information, or email us at outandaboutmom@gmail.com and we will be happy to make the updates. Hey, it takes a village, right?

---

2012 Post

Today we are welcoming back our friend and local blogger, Jodie Sadowsky from Love Them Madly.  Jodie has become a big fan of a little museum in Hartford and wanted to share with our readers why she loves this place so much.  I was a bit surprised to hear that a traditional museum could be welcoming to children, but Jodie is here to provide all the family friendly details!

 

——————————————————————————————————————-

Six months ago, I finally visited a museum I’d never heard anyone talk about, but that I’d commuted by for years from West Hartford to East Hartford along Asylum Avenue and Route 84.

You know the place?

I’m still not sure I’m a history nut but I’m so glad I’m an “out and about” mom because the Connecticut Historical Society Museum & Library is now one of our family favorites. It’s the kind of place you can feel like a cultured grown-up learning something new while engaging with your curious children.  Though not bustling with strollers and diaper bags, the museum not only welcome families but provides hands-on exhibits of interest to all ages.

Entrances to the museum are at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Asylum Avenue, with lots of free parking on either side of the main entrance.

The ticket desk is just beyond the big wooden door. We’ve always been very warmly greeted by the museum team.

CHS is housed in a Colonial Revival mansion once owned by inventor Curtis Veeder who designed and produced counting and precision manufacturing devices. In the original living room of the house, just off the main foyer, you can learn more about Veeder, his inventions and residence.

Once you have your admission tickets, head up the grand staircase to the exhibit hall.

So you can get a feel of how interactive the exhibits are, I’m sharing photos from three visits to CHS, each during a different exhibit:

Our first visit (February 2012) included an exhibit called “New Life for Connecticut Trees: Furniture by City Bench,” featuring furniture made from reclaimed Connecticut trees once destined for landfills.

You can see this was no stuffy furniture exhibit.  I love taking my kids to a REAL museum and finding signs that say “please touch” and “please sit.”  Each beautiful piece created by City Bench was displayed with the tree’s “life story.”  We spotted nail holes and metal bolts and attached highway guard rails. My 5-year-old was excited to find a slab from an oak tree that used to be in Elizabeth Park.

On our next visit (June 2012), the exhibit had changed to one on the tradition of craft in American Period Furniture.  How do you make period furniture fun for kids (and their mom)?

You let them take apart a chair and put it back together!

In October, my three-year old and I checked out the latest exhibit, “Cats & Dogs in Art and Life,” with our West Hartford moms’ group, Moms & More.  Erin, CHS’s Coordinator of Youth & Family Programs, led our group in a related story time and craft.

I have been to a lot of museum story hours – never did they include sitting in the gallery with glue and pom poms with music playing, while the kids were introduced to the art around them.

While the craft dried, we explored.  You can actually explore an art gallery with a three-year old. Especially if the kid can hunt for cats and dogs and some of the paintings actually have magnifying glasses hanging from them.

It helps too if there’s room to express your opinions (the third wall had room for “neithers”!) and draw on the walls with oil pastels.

As you exit the gallery to the ongoing “Making Connecticut” exhibit area, you’ll pass a wigwam scene – and yes, your kids are welcome to climb in the canoe.

The “Making Connecticut” exhibits depict daily life, clothing, transportation, work, and sports and leisure through the years, all interestingly displayed and explained. Irresistible to most kids: cooking a meal and setting the table in a colonial kitchen. The signs provide grown-ups with lots of play ideas and conversation starters about what life was like in colonial times.

The 1970/80s kitchen is equally irresistible – and you’ll love remembering mom or grandma’s kitchen.

Hands-on activities include replacing bobbins in a textile mill (once child’s labor), working a World War II assembly line and more.

Also upstairs right now is an exhibit on Connecticut Poster Stamps which we didn’t have time to visit, but I noticed a drawing area for visitors to make their own stamps.

Bathrooms (including this family restroom, with everything but a step stool) are currently located ONLY downstairs, so you may want to make your stops when you arrive.

If you still have exploring energy left, check out the back room on the main level. This trip, we dressed up these plaster busts.

We usually spend about two hours at the museum.  A highlight this trip was a visit to the gift shop, where – amid lots of lovely gifts I didn’t get to look at – we found a stash of full size snacks.

I treated us to a pre-lunch bag of Milanos, which we enjoyed on a little patio across the hall.

Is it possible I haven’t convinced you to check this place out? Need more reason? Every first Saturday of the month is free and there are two great upcoming family events:

Saturday, November 3: Family Program: Toys for Pets

FREE | Drop-in between 10:00 am & 1:00 pm

Calling all pet owners and animal lovers! Join us to make a cat or dog toy to bring home to your furry friend. All supplies will be provided by the CHS. This program is great for all ages. For more information, call (860) 236-5621 x222 or email Erin_Kania@chs.org.

Saturday, November 10 at 11:00 a.m.: Storytelling Tellabration

For over two decades, Connecticut storyteller Andre Keitt has been spinning tales about Africans, African Americans, Dinosaurs, Mystery and Spooky stuff, and more. His programs are a treasure trove of energy-packed tales from around the world. They include delicious tales from the Tropical Islands and stories cooked up by his very own grandmother, Mama Thompson, from way down south.

THE MOMSENSE:

Connecticut Historical Society Museum & Library

One Elizabeth Street, Hartford, Connecticut

Phone: (860) 236-5621

Website: http://www.chs.org/

Get directions here:

Enter your starting address:

 

Hours & Admission:

Hours:

Museum: Tuesday-Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Store: Monday-Saturday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

The museum is closed every Sunday and Monday, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Admission:

• FREE for members
• FREE for children 5 and under
• FREE the first Saturday of the month (that means this Saturday, November 3rd)
• $8 Adults
• $6 Seniors (65 and over)
• $4 Students (with valid college ID) and Youth (6-17)

Click here for the most up-to-date information on CHS hours and rates.

Tips & Things to Bring:

• Want to check out the museum for FREE?  Visit on the first Saturday of the month or check out a museum pass at your local library.
• A stroller can be used in the museum and there is an elevator to get you to the upper level.
• Pack a lunch or purchase a snack in the store and enjoy your food on the outdoor patio.
• Restrooms (including the family restroom) are located on the first floor only
• Many of the exhibits are rotating, so be sure to check out their exhibits page for the latest information.
• Check out the museum’s calendar for information on upcoming events.  Two events are being held in the coming weeks:
  • Saturday, November 3: Family Program: Toys for Pets

FREE | Drop-in between 10:00 am & 1:00 pm

Calling all pet owners and animal lovers! Join us to make a cat or dog toy to bring home to your furry friend. All supplies will be provided by the CHS. This program is great for all ages. For more information, call (860) 236-5621 x222 or email Erin_Kania@chs.org.

• Saturday, November 10 at 11:00 a.m.: Storytelling Tellabration

For over two decades, Connecticut storyteller Andre Keitt has been spinning tales about Africans, African Americans, Dinosaurs, Mystery and Spooky stuff, and more. His programs are a treasure trove of energy-packed tales from around the world. They include delicious tales from the Tropical Islands and stories cooked up by his very own grandmother, Mama Thompson, from way down south.

Thanks again to Jodie for being a guest blogger today!  Read more from her at www.lovethemmadly.com.  She just did a great post about lessons learned from Halloween.  Check it out!

——————————————

Want to keep up with all our Out and About Mom adventures?

Check back every Tuesday and Thursday as we dish up more Momsense for getting out and about with your little ones. Don’t have time to check back in? Let us send you an automatic notification of new posts straight to your email inbox by signing up here. Also, you can like us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest posts and get some extra tidbits we share only through those sites.