New England Civil War Museum To Be Open Weekends This Summer

VERNON, CT — The New England Civil War Museum and Research Center will be open weekends this summer as part of Connecticut's "Summer at the Museum" program.

The program allows children to receive free admission to more than 130 museums across the state during the summer months. It runs from July 1 through Sept. 5, and allows Connecticut children 18 and younger plus an accompanying adult to get into the venues free of charge.

The Civil War Museum will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. It is located on the second floor of Vernon Town Hall is a fully preserved former Grand Army of the Republic hall. The museum is home to an extensive collection of artifacts and literature. Parking is available at the front and rear of town hall.

Gov. Ned Lamont recently announced the return of the popular program, which was established in 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program is funded through a $15 million investment in federal COVID-19 recovery money the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act.

For a list of all participating museums, click here.

The 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.

While any museum in Connecticut can choose to participate in the program by offering free admission, eligible properties had an opportunity to apply for grant funding.

More than 120 grants were awarded and calculated based on the applicant’s average revenue from children’s admissions over the same period for multiple years, plus a base award tied to operating budget. The minimum grant award is $1,000.