Permanent Exhibits

On The Great River

This exhibit explores the history of the Connecticut River from Native American communities through the early nineteenth century.

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The River That Connects Us

Created over millions of years by nature’s greatest forces, the Connecticut Valley is rich in essential resources. The Central Valley is fertile: trees cover the hillsides, stone lay deep in the earth and along the fall line swift streams tumble […]

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The Vertical Gallery

Artist Russell Buckingham created a unique “vertical mural” of the Connecticut River in 2009. This folk art inspired mural winds up (and down) the three floors in the museum’s eastern stairwell and covers all 410 miles of the Connecticut River. […]

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Annual Exhibits

Steve Cryan’s Model Train Show

Artist and train enthusiast Steve Cryan unveils a new model train layout every fall, signaling the holiday season at the Connecticut River Museum. Each year his intricate miniature world of trains enthralls the crowds of people who make a visit […]

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The Eagles of Essex

January through March The return of the American Bald Eagle to the Connecticut River is a sign of a healthy River. While lakes and rivers up north freeze over, tidal waters of the lower River keep the waters open during […]

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Special Exhibits

Myths and Legends of the Connecticut River Valley

Now through October 14, 2019 Myths and legends are traditional stories that are told to entertain, educate, and create a common identity for people. There is no simple distinction between them, but folklorists generally consider myths to be stories that […]

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PAST EXHIBITS