Short Attention Span Literary Club Free Once per month, we get together to chat about short stories. Anyone can join in, no commitment required! This month’s story is “Two Kinds,” by Amy Tan. You can find the story here. The club meets online using Zoom. Click here to register. You’ll receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link. […]

Family Program: Construction Zone Grab your hard hat and tool belt and become a construction worker for the day! Families will build with foam bricks and blocks, create blueprints, and learn about some of the tools and vehicles used on construction sites. This program is FREE and great for children of all ages. For more […]

Join us for a special family story time! Surrounded by books in the exhibit Connecticut’s Bookshelf, families will cozy up in beanbags, listen to a story, and then do some crafts! With a new book each time, families can discover the many stories brought to life by Connecticut authors, illustrators, and storytellers. This program is included […]

Lunch and Learn – Authors and Entrepreneurs: Black Self-Publishers in New England Virtual Presentation! Bryan Sinche, Professor of English and department chair at the University of Hartford, is the author of the new book Published by the Author: Self-Publication in Nineteenth-Century African American Literature. The book focuses on 19th century writers who used self-publication to bypass white […]

Artist Talk and Demonstration: Matin Malikzada, 7th-generation Afghan Master Potter Internationally recognized for his technical skill and elegant designs, Afghan master potter, Matin Malikzada was forced to flee Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. Along with his family, he is now resettled in Northwest Connecticut. Meet the artist: hear the story of his struggles, joy, creativity, […]

Drop in for a guided tour of our latest special exhibition, Connecticut’s Bookshelf. Connecticut is the birthplace of comic books, copyright law, Noah Webster, and the recipe for pumpkin pie. It printed the first fugitive slave narrative, sold millions of dollars of books by subscription, and inspired children’s sections in libraries nationwide. From the 1700s to […]

Wide Awake: The Connecticut Youth Movement that Elected Lincoln In the election before the Civil War, young anti-slavery activists in Connecticut organized one of the largest, strangest, and most consequential mass movements in American history. Marching in militaristic, torchlit rallies, these Wide Awakes launched a diverse grassroots campaign to defend democracy from slavery. Their incredible […]

Date Night: Chills and Treats Looking for something different to do for Date Night? Bring your sweetie or bestie to the museum for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the weirdest and creepiest items in our vaults, then relax and create a fun Halloween-themed craft to take home while you enjoy wine and snacks. Questions? […]

Wide Awakes: Campaigning for Lincoln Gallery Talk Free Join a museum educator for a guided tour of our newest exhibition, Wide Awakes: Campaigning for Lincoln. Gallery talks are included with museum admission. No pre-registration required! If you’re interested in arranging a private tour of the exhibition for your book club, community center, or other group, contact Public […]