Fairfield Museum and History Center facts for kids
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| Established | 2007 |
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| Location | 370 Beach Road Fairfield, Connecticut, United States |
| Type | History museum |
The Fairfield Museum and History Center is a cool museum in Fairfield, Connecticut. It's located at 370 Beach Road. This museum helps people learn about the interesting history of the Fairfield area and its people.
The museum was started in 2007 by the Fairfield Historical Society. It's a big place, about 13,000 square feet! Inside, you'll find galleries for exhibitions, a special library for research, a classroom, a meeting hall, and a gift shop.
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What You Can See and Do
The Fairfield Museum has lots of fun things to explore. They often change their exhibitions, so there's always something new to discover!
Exciting Exhibitions
The museum features many art and history exhibitions. Some past shows have included:
- IMAGES: A yearly photography exhibition.
- The Road to Busytown: About Richard Scarry's life in Fairfield County.
- Topping the Charts: The story of Columbia Records in Bridgeport.
- Culper Ring: All about George Washington's spies.
- Rising Tides – Fairfield's Coast: Looking at Fairfield's coast from the past to today.
- An American Story: About finding a home in Fairfield County.
- The Promise of Freedom: Focusing on the Emancipation Proclamation.
- Creating Community: A newly updated exhibit about 400 years of Fairfield stories.
Fun Programs and Activities
The museum offers many activities for kids, families, and the community. Some popular events include:
- Holiday Express Train Show: A festive train display.
- Memorial Day Open House: A special event for the holiday.
- Open Play at the Victorian Cottage: A fun space for younger kids.
- Summer Saturdays on the Museum Commons: Outdoor activities in the summer.
- Jazz Fridays Summer Concert Series: Live music to enjoy.
- Halloween on the Green: Spooky fun for everyone.
- Legends & Hauntings Tours: Exploring the Old Burying Ground.
- Historical Walking Tours: Discovering the Town Green.
- Summer Camps: Engaging programs during school breaks.
Learning for Students
The Fairfield Museum works closely with schools. They help K-12 students and teachers learn about history. Each year, more than 4,000 students from many schools in southwestern Connecticut visit the museum for educational programs.
Meeting Hall and Research Library
The Jacky Durrell Meeting Hall is a great spot for talks and discussions. Experts like professors and historians share their knowledge here.
The museum also has a Research Library. It's a special place to study Connecticut's history. Students can find information for school projects. Adults can research their family history or local community stories. The library has old books, family records, newspapers, and more. It even has the Collier Collection, which is a huge collection of Connecticut history resources.
Museum Shop
Don't forget to check out the Museum Shop! It has unique items for both kids and adults. Many of the products are made right in Connecticut, supporting local artists.
Historic Properties to Explore
The Fairfield Museum also takes care of several historic buildings owned by the town. You can visit these properties to step back in time!
- Ogden House: This house was built in 1750. It's a saltbox-style farmhouse with old furniture. You can visit it on Sundays from June to September.
- Sun Tavern: Built in 1780, this tavern was once visited by President George Washington! You can touch and feel reproduction objects here to get a real sense of history. It's open on Sundays from June to September and for private tours.
- Victorian Cottage: This cottage is perfect for younger kids (ages 18 months to 5 years). It's a fun place for imaginative play.
- Victorian Barn: Built in 1888, this barn shows what farming was like in Fairfield. It also helps us think about food today. You can visit it on Sundays from June to September and for private tours.
