The Mission of the Connecticut River Museum is to deepen appreciation of the River’s history and to inspire its stewardship by providing unique educational and recreational experiences to diverse audiences.
The Connecticut River Museum invites teachers and students to discover the Connecticut River Valley and explore the natural environment and the human experience along its 410 miles. Programs are based on the principle of “Place-Based Education,” a philosophy emphasizing interdisciplinary studies using local cultural and natural resources to engage students.
All CRM programs center on student-directed learning experiences that emphasize inquiry and are designed to meet the targets articulated in Connecticut Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
Programs can take place throughout the year:
- At the Museum campus on the banks of the Connecticut River in Essex;
- Aboard one of the Museum’s two Coast Guard certified vessels: the Onrust, a re-creation of the boat used by Dutch explorer Adriaen Block in 1614 or the Museum’s 64’ eco-tour boat, RiverQuest, for an on-water experience of the River.
- At schools, libraries, or communities across the state.
All CRM programs are designed to meet various curriculum standards in social studies, language arts, science, and art and are led by trained Museum Educators. Programs are available for grades K-12 for public, private, and homeschool groups. In each program, students will participate in a variety of learning experiences that allow them to:
- Discover the River and its people through observation, experimentation, and exploration; Use the Museum’s objects, primary documents, lab activities and the River itself to explore natural and cultural environments; Discuss the physical changes of the River Valley landscape over time.
- Explore the role of industrial and cultural development and the direct impact their own lifestyle has on the environment; and
- Develop skills for conserving and protecting one of America’s Last Great Places.
Programs are available on the Museum campus, off-site in schools and other community organizations.
Custom programs that meet the needs of your students and their curriculum may also be available. Please contact the Education Department at lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org for more information.
MUSEUM SCHOLARSHIPS
The Connecticut River Museum has a small scholarship fund to expand access to our Museum. Scholarships are considered on a first-come, first-served basis and are reserved for Title I Schools or school groups with a high percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. If you’re interested in applying for the Museum’s scholarship fund to reduce the admission cost of your field trip, please contact the Director of Education by emailing lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org
WHEELS TO LEARNING
CRM is a participating venue in the Wheels to Learning program. “Wheels to Learning provides transportation funding for field trips for Windham County, Connecticut public schools traveling to designated non-profit educational and cultural institutions.”
For more information, please go to https://wheelstolearning.org/
PROGRAMS AT THE MUSEUM
The museum can accommodate up to 75 students per day for exhibit and workshop programs. In the spring and continuing through early fall, programs may also be conducted aboard the Onrust, a reproduction of the 1614 Dutch wooden yacht originally captained by Adriaen Block. Maximum capacity is 25 people (students and teachers) per trip. Multiple trips may be scheduled in one day. Our other vessel, the RiverQuest, is also available during most of the year and can fit a group of 30 comfortably. Programs are also available at Bushnell Farm in nearby Old Saybrook. These hands-on and interactive programs focus on New England colonial life. For information on onsite educational programs and rates, please contact the Education Department at lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org.
View Our Education Catalogue
Programs Grades K-2
Programs Grades 3-6
Programs Grades 6-12
Programs Homeschoolers
On-Land Educational Program Fees at CRM:
Includes regular museum admission plus your choice of a 90-minute program.
Up to 25 students; $15 per student
25-49 students; $12 per student
50-75 students; $10 per student
On-Water Boat Program Fees at CRM:
One hour boat excursion on Onrust or RiverQuest; must accompany at least one 90 minute program.
Up to 25 students; $25 per student
25-49 students; $20 per student
50-75 students; $18 per student
All Birding on Board & River Science programs are $26 per student – maximum capacity is 30 students
BOOKING AN EDUCATION PROGRAM
PROGRAMS AT YOUR SCHOOL OR ORGANIZATION
The Connecticut River Museum is happy to bring a program to your school or organization. All traveling programs cost $225 per class (maximum of 25 students) and $0.73 per mile traveled round trip. Some programs require an additional materials charge.
SCHEDULE A PROGRAM
We recommend scheduling your program at least two months in advance and require at least 2 weeks notice. Contact the Education Department at 860-767-8269, extension 113 or email lbdionne@ctrivermuseum.org. Please provide your school name, grade level, number of students, contact information, program of interest, requested date (please give 3 dates), and requested start and end time.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
RiverQuest and Onrust programs are weather permitting. In the case of inclement weather, for the safety of passengers & crew, CRM will reschedule your program. Notice will be given 24 hours before your arrival time.
Payment
Payment in full is due the day of your program and is based on the total number of participants that must be finalized 2 weeks before your field trip. No refunds will be awarded if your group arrives with fewer students.
Please make all payments payable to the Connecticut River Museum.
Lunch
Indoor and outdoor spaces may be available for lunch. Please request a lunch space during booking. Students should bring brown-bag lunches. We do not have food services on site but local eateries may offer discounts to school groups.
Chaperones
Chaperones are required at a rate of 1 adult chaperone per 10 students. These chaperones are offered complimentary admission to the museum. Additional adults must pay $10 each for any museum program and $25 for a boat program.
Address, Bus Instructions, and Parking
Our address is 67 Main Street, Essex, CT 06426. Please be sure to include our zip code in the map application that you use.
School Busses: Please drop off and pick up on the right side of the circle at the bottom of Main Street by pulling close to the curb (disregard the sign on Main Street that directs “Tour Buses and RVs” to make a left turn. This does NOT apply to school buses). Directly in front of the bus will be a grey boat house. Do not block the public boat ramp. Students should proceed along the sidewalk, crossing the boat ramp, and enter through the museum’s entry sign pavilion. Buses should park on Pratt Street or at Essex Town Hall, 29 West Avenue.
We are happy to provide your bus driver a complimentary admission to explore the museum during your school visit.
Passenger vans may park in our parking lot.
For more information click the link below:
https://ctrivermuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/School-Bus-Parking.pdf
