Permanent Exhibits

On The Great River

This exhibit explores the history of the Connecticut River from Indigenous peoples through the early nineteenth century.

LEARN MORE

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 […]

LEARN MORE

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. […]

LEARN MORE

Annual Exhibits

Steve Cryan’s Holiday 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 […]

LEARN MORE

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 […]

LEARN MORE

Special Exhibits

Rhythm of the River: Music and Memory Along the Connecticut

Image credit: “May Beth,” artist unknown, ca. 1920. This watercolor painting features a bell buoy in the foreground and will be displayed in the Rhythm of the River exhibit.  Rhythm of the River: Music and Memory Along the Connecticut July 30, 2026 […]

LEARN MORE

Connecticut River Valley Maritime Trade, Commerce, and Construction

Connecticut River Valley Maritime Trade, Commerce, and Construction Summer 2027 The Connecticut River Museum tells the stories of those who have worked in and along the Connecticut River. In the summer of 2027, visitors will have the opportunity to explore […]

LEARN MORE

PAST EXHIBITS