Visiting Families

We reduced our admission fee for kids...
now everyone 12 years and under visits the Museum for FREE!

» Check out our upcoming events.

Imagine a tiny yellow brick road winding it's way across the grounds of the Florence Griswold Museum. This tear's October event combines both wee faeries and the story of The
Wizard of Oz.
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"Kids receive VIP treatment everyday," states David Rau, Director of Education and Outreach. "Boring museums are a thing of the past. The Florence Griswold Museum creates fun and educational activities so that families can learn together while they explore the treasures of the past."

»Have fun at Summer Art Camps!

Kids explore the art and history of the Lyme Art Colony in their own colony of young artists at the Museum’s five-day camps. Geared for students entering grades 1-6, art colony campers investigate art exhibitions, paint, play games, and more. Camps include a camp t-shirt, art-making materials, and daily snacks. Each week culminates in an exhibition of student projects.

 

Check out our YouTube Channel. Watch the video, Once upon a Time in Old Lyme, which uses illustrations by children's book author David Macaulay and make the story lively and entertaining for all ages. (Please note: this video is in two parts.)

 

» Learn about artist tools, types of paintings, and architecture!

» Learn about the Wiggle Game.
The wiggle game was played by members of the Old Lyme Art Colony in the parlor of the boardinghouse. To play the game, one artist would draw about three lines or "wiggles" on a piece of paper. The second artist would connect the wiggles into a finished drawing, often a humorous caricature. See examples of the Wiggle Game. Grab a piece of paper and play the Wiggle Game too!
» Post your drawings on Flickr or Facebook!

At the Florence Griswold House, ask for a Scavenger Hunt sheet, with a list of objects to find in each room. The objects tell the story of the Museum so families can learn about the famous artists who lived in the house over one hundred years ago. Return the sheet to the front desk for a prize!

In the Krieble Gallery pick up your Can You Find Me? Cards and search for details in the paintings featured in the exhibition. Another game, Paintings and Poetry, asks players to find the painting described in a poem and then add their own lines to the poem.

Every Sunday from April through December, visitors of all ages are encouraged to participate. (In October the projects change from painting to special event related craft projects.)

The program, which is free with Museum admission, begins in the Education Center where visitors can choose from a variety of hands-on activities. In good weather, guests can even paint "en plein air" (in the open air) just as the artists did over a hundred years ago. Supplied with canvas, palette, paint, brushes, a smock and a quick lesson in color mixing and painting techniques visitors discover for themselves why Miss Florence's was THE place to paint!

Year-round programs such as workshops, summer camps and other exciting events make use of this exciting space. Visit the Things To Do for events and times.

After their visit, families are encouraged to post pictures and video they took during their visit and leave a message on the Museum's Facebook page or blog.

Explore the Museum's famous Fox Chase.
Look for the 10 hidden foxes. Click on all 10 an see the surprise!

Tell us Your Favorite. Look at what our staff and other visitors have said about their favorite work of art from the Museum's collection.
» Pick your favorite work of art and tell us about it!

Learn about samplers and silk embroideries and then have fun creating with Hands-On, Minds-On activities.
» Click to learn more