Programs funded through a $1M U.S. Department of Education grant with support from Congressman Larson, Senators Blumenthal and Murphy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HARTFORD, CT (September 4, 2024) — The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is pleased to announce the second year of the Civics Education for Connecticut Students project in partnership with four Connecticut museums: the Connecticut Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House, the Fairfield Museum and History Center, the Mark Twain House & Museum, and the Mystic Seaport Museum. Funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the Connecticut Museum, Civics Education for Connecticut Students offers free and discounted programs for K-5 Connecticut students that introduce civics, community, and government to young learners through engaging and accessible activities.

Through the advocacy of Congressman John B. Larson and the additional support of Senators Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy, the Civics Education for Connecticut Students project was launched in 2023 with the aim of promoting accessibility to local museums and the learning tools they provide. Over the course of the 2023-24 school year, the five participating museums collectively reached over 600 K-5 classes across the state, engaging 11,757 students in civics education. Now in its second year, the project offers programs through field trips across the five participating museums at a discounted price of $2 per student, and at $50 per program in the classroom. Bus transportation funds are also available through a reimbursement system. New for the 2024-25 school year, all Civics Education programs for Priority School Districts and schools receiving Title I funding are now free.

“These local museums have so many resources to craft once in a lifetime experiences. These programs help students get excited about playing a part in their community,” said Peter Moran, Civics Education for Connecticut Students Project Director at the Connecticut Museum.

“We are proud of everything this program has accomplished in its first year, and the positive feedback from educators has been extremely encouraging,” Robert A. Kret, Connecticut Museum Executive Director and CEO, said. “We are incredibly grateful to the Department of Education for funding this initiative and for our partners at the other museums. We look forward to reaching even more schools in year two.” All K-5 classes in Connecticut are eligible to take part in Civics Education programs, with no application or paperwork required. To learn more about Civics Education for Connecticut Students, including how to book a program for your class, view the brochure online at https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CivicsProjectBooklet2425.pdf.

Connecticut students build a town at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History during the “What Makes a Community” field trip program at the Museum.

###

The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1825 as the state’s premier historical society and home for folk and traditional arts support since 2015. Located in the historic West End of Hartford, the Museum houses exhibitions, a library, a research center, and a vast collection that includes more than 4 million manuscripts, graphics, objects, and artifacts. The Museum strives to cultivate deep understanding of the history and culture of Connecticut, and its role in the United States and the world, through reflection of the past, active engagement with the present, and innovation for the future through our collections, research, educational programs, and exhibitions. To learn more about our ongoing exhibitions and events, please visit: connecticutmuseum.org.

Contact:
Samantha Skeels
Marketing and Communications Manager
860-969-6089 x105
sskeels@connecticutmuseum.org