Translate:
231 Capitol Ave., Hartford, CT 06106, US
About
Museum Makeover is a new effort designed to improve the visitor experience at cultural heritage organizations throughout Connecticut. Successful applicants receive two free site visits from a team of traveling museum curators who will examine the exhibit areas, period rooms, or collection storage areas and develop a plan to improve these areas and elevate the visitor experience. Members of these cultural heritage organizations will be actively involved in all phases of Museum Makeover and will work closely with the Traveling Curators to implement the recommendations. Each participating institution will also receive up to $3,000 to help cover the costs of upgrading exhibition and storage areas.
Before applying, organizations must contact Kathy Craughwell-Varda, Director of Conservation ConneCTion, at CSL.ConservationConnection@ct.gov to discuss your project idea. We are eager to help you submit a strong application and are available to review draft applications received at least two weeks before the grant deadline.
Museum Makeover is a program of Conservation ConneCTion and is supported through a partnership with the Connecticut League of History Organizations and funded by a grant from the CT Cultural Fund. The CT Cultural Fund is administered by CT Humanities, with funding provided by the Connecticut State Department of Economic and Community Development/Connecticut Office of the Arts from the Connecticut State Legislature.
2023 Museum Makeover Recipients
Ellington Historical Society
(Tolland County)
Archives Storage
Governor Samuel Huntington Trust
(Windham County)
Permanent Exhibit: Install interpretive panels in the room believe to be used by Nancy, an enslaved person owned by the Huntington family.
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation
(New London County)
Permanent Exhibit: Create new signage for features in 18thcentury Pequot Farmstead garden.
Stratford Veterans Museum
(Fairfield County)
Museum Storage
Amity & Woodbridge Historical Society
(New Haven County)
Permanent Exhibit: Outdoor exhibit signage for house and outbuildings.
Madison Historical Society
(New Haven County)
Permanent Exhibit: Reimagine exhibit and signage for shipping exhibit.
Windham Historical Society
(Windham County)
Museum Storage
Hebron Historical Society
(Tolland County)
Museum/Archive Collection Storage
American Mural Project
(Litchfield County)
Permanent Exhibit: Create hands-on learning table.
Seabury Society for the Preservation of the Glebe House
(Litchfield County)
Permanent Exhibit: Implement self-guided tour of first floor rooms.
New England Civil War Museum
(Tolland County)
Museum Storage
Middlesex County Historical Society
(Middlesex County)
Permanent Exhibit: Create outdoor signage to describe the features on exhibit on the grounds.
American Clock & Watch Museum
(Hartford County)
Museum Storage
Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance
(Windham County)
Permanent Exhibit: Create graphic and information panels for exhibit areas.
Stamford Historical Society
(Fairfield County)
Museum Storage
Newtown Historical Society with C. H. Booth Library
(Fairfield County)
Permanent Exhibit: Create local history exhibit room in Booth Library.
Stonington Village Improvement Association/James Merrill House Committee
(New London County)
Permanent Exhibit: Exhibit in Visitor Center on the influential wallpaper in Merrill residence.
Joshua’s Trust
(New London County)
Permanent Exhibit: Informational outdoor signage at cottage and mill near Land Trust trails.
