Press Releases
07/11/2022
LT. GOVERNOR BYSIEWICZ, NEW BRITAIN OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT CONNECTICUT SUMMER AT THE MUSEUM PROGRAM
(NEW BRITAIN, CT) – Today, Lt. Governor Bysiewicz was joined by New Britain officials and museum staff at the New Britain Museum of American Art to highlight the Connecticut Summer at the Museum program. The program allows Connecticut children to receive free admission at more than 130 museums across the state during the summer months.
Governor Lamont 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.
Under the program, from July 1, 2022, to September 5, 2022, Connecticut children aged 18 and under – plus one accompanying Connecticut adult – can receive free admission to any of the participating museums, including 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.
Some of the notable attractions include:
- Connecticut Science Center, Hartford
- Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport
- Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington
- Institute for American Indian Studies Museum & Research Center, Washington
- Kidcity Children’s Museum, Middletown
- Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk
- Mystic Aquarium, Mystic
- Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic
- Prudence Crandall Museum, Canterbury
“Our administration has been focused on creating educational programs throughout the summer months for students to combat the effects of distance learning from COVID-19,” said Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “We are very proud to be able to offer this program again this year and keep students engaged before next school year. Now, students can continue their learning in a fun way at no cost to Mom and Dad.”
“We are delighted to once again participate in the Connecticut Summer at the Museum Program,” said Lisa Lappe-Director of Marketing New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA). “This program allows the ability for hundreds of families to visit our beautiful museum this summer. We want to thank Governor Lamont, the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Connecticut State Department of Education, the Office of Early Childhood and Connecticut Humanities for making this program possible.”
The NBMAA collection represents over three centuries of the major artists and movements of American art. Today it contains over 8,400 paintings, works on paper, sculptures, videos, and photographs.
“This museum is a fabulous repository of American art, a real hidden treasure if you have not yet been here in New Britain,” said State Representative William Petit. “You can visit Walnut Hill Park, the garden at the top and spend half of the day here at the museum. Afterwards, you can hop over to Angelo’s to get some really great Italian food, all in one day. New Britain has so much to offer, and I encourage all Connecticut residents to come check out this great city.”
“With kids out of schools, it can be tough to find an affordable option to keep them engaged and entertained. This Summer at the Museum Program is an no-cost way to explore all of the interesting and exciting museums and towns that Connecticut has to offer,” said State Senator Rick Lopes.
To see the full list of participating museums, visit www.CTSummerMuseums.com.
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For Immediate Release: Monday, July 11, 2022
Contact: Chelsea Neelon