Museums In Windsor Locks, East Windsor to Get Coronavirus Funding

WINDSOR LOCKS/EAST WINDSOR, CT — Two prominent museums in north-central Connecticut are among several dozen Connecticut landmarks earmarked to receive more than $20,000 from Connecticut Humanities' COVID Relief Fund for Museums.

The Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor and the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks have been designated for funding designed to aid museums and other nonprofit organizations as the coronavirus pandemic "takes a dramatic toll on Connecticut's arts venues and museums." Each museum will receive $22,727.25.

New England Air Museum Executive Director Debbie Reed told Patch, "The New England Air Museum is grateful for the Connecticut Humanities Council's continued support. This grant will help support the operations of the museum. This has been a challenging year for all museums, and organizations like the Humanities Council continue to 'keep us going'."

"This funding comes at a critical time for Connecticut Landmarks as we work to develop new programming and opportunities for guests to experience Connecticut's history while remaining socially distanced," Connecticut Landmarks Executive Director Aaron Marcavitch said. "We thank Connecticut Humanities, the Connecticut Office of the Arts, the Department of Economic and Community Development, our federal representatives and Governor Lamont for their continued commitment to Connecticut's museums and historic places."

The grant was made possible through Connecticut Humanities, with funding provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development and the Connecticut Office of the Arts with funding allocated to the state through the federal CARES Act.

Connecticut Humanities is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and supports cultural and historic organizations that tell the state's stories, build community and enrich lives.

According to Connecticut Humanities, the financial losses of the 50 grant awardees exceeds $25.4 million through 2020, with more than 300 full- and part-time positions being eliminated in connection with the pandemic.

The goal of the grants is to support Connecticut nonprofits and aid in job retention and operational expenses, officials said.

Click here for a full list of grant awards.

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