(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the popular state program Connecticut Summer at the Museum is returning for the 2022 summer season, enabling 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, 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.
The full list of participating museums is available at www.CTSummerMuseums.com.
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
“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,” Governor 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.”
“Governor Lamont and I are very proud to be able to offer this program to Connecticut children and families,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Free museum admission is a great way to spark children’s curiosity and keep them engaged before next school year, continuing their learning at no cost to mom and dad.”
“We fought for federal ARPA funding to help increase educational and cultural opportunities for Connecticut children,” the members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation said in a joint statement. “Free access to Connecticut’s world class museums and cultural institutions will provide our youth with countless educational, creative, and recreational experiences.”
The Connecticut Summer at the Museum 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.
