Connecticut River Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1975 |
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| Location | Essex, Connecticut, USA |
| Type | Maritime museum |
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Steamboat Dock Site
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| Location | Main Street, Essex, Connecticut |
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| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
| Built | 1813 |
| Architectural style | Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003768 |
| Added to NRHP | April 1, 1982 |
The Connecticut River Museum is a cool place in Essex, Connecticut. It teaches visitors all about the Connecticut River. You can learn about its history, the boats that sailed on it, and the amazing nature around it.
The museum is inside a really old building. It used to be a warehouse for steamboats back in 1878! It's the only one of its kind left on the river. This historic building is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum first opened its doors in 1975. The first person to become a paid member was Connecticut Governor Ella Grasso. Many of the first items in the museum came from the Wadsworth Atheneum. This art museum in Hartford, Connecticut loaned them nautical art and old navigation tools.
Contents
What You Can Explore at the Museum
The museum has three floors full of interesting things.
Exciting Exhibits and History
The main floor and the top floor often have new exhibits. These shows change regularly, so there's always something new to see! The middle floor has a special permanent exhibit. It's all about how boats were built in the past. You can see old maps and cool models of steamboats. You can also learn about the different kinds of fish that live in the Connecticut River.
The Amazing Turtle Submarine
One of the most exciting things at the museum is a full-size copy of the Turtle. This was the very first American submarine! It was built right here in Essex in 1776. It was used during the American Revolution to try and fight against the British. It's a really neat piece of history.
Other Museum Features
Besides the main building, the museum also has a boathouse. This is where they keep some of their boats. There's also a research library. People can go there to learn even more about the river's history. In 1995, the museum received a special gift. A family donated a piece of land by the water in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. This land is now a waterfront park that the museum helps manage.
A Fire and Rebuilding
In 2011, a fire happened at the museum. It caused some damage. But don't worry, they worked hard to rebuild parts of it. The museum is still a great place to visit and learn!
See Also
