Lutz Children's Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1953 |
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| Location | Manchester, Connecticut, United States |
| Type | Children's museum |
The Lutz Children's Museum is a special place in Manchester, Connecticut. It is a children's museum where kids can learn and have fun. It started way back in 1953. The idea came from parents and teachers in Manchester. They wanted to give students more ways to learn. They also asked the community for ideas.
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History of the Museum
The idea for the museum came from Hazel P. Lutz. She was the head of the Art Department in Manchester. Ms. Lutz had collected many interesting items from her travels. She thought these items would be great for kids to learn from. She even started a small "museum" in her schoolroom closet!
Her collection grew as people donated more items. Soon, it included things related to many school subjects. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) helped. They gave the museum its first official home. It was in the basement of the Waddell School. By 1957, the museum had hundreds of learning kits. It also had one hundred volunteers helping out.
The museum became a private non-profit group in 1958. This means it works for the public good, not for profit. The Board of Education gave the museum a new home that same year. It moved to 126 Cedar Street. This was next to the Washington School. The museum opened its new doors to the public on September 26, 1958. Now, it had space to show its collections. It could also display live animals. Plus, it had rooms for classes all year long.
The museum kept growing bigger. By 1982, it needed even more space. The town of Manchester suggested a larger building. This new spot was the old South School building. It had nice views of the Charter Oak Reservoir. The museum accepted this bigger building. It also changed its name at this time. The Lutz Junior Museum became the "Lutz Children's Museum."
What is the Museum's Goal?
The Lutz Children's Museum has an important goal. It wants to be a fun place for kids. Here, children can learn about culture, history, and nature. They can do this through exhibits, programs, and special experiences.
Fun Learning and Events
The museum offers many classes. These classes teach about art, history, and natural sciences. Teachers at the museum lead these fun lessons.
The Lutz also has "In-School Resource Lessons." This is when museum teachers visit schools. They also go to camps and other kids' programs. They bring museum items or live animals with them. Sometimes, they even dress up in costumes! These teachers are experts in their fields. For example, some might study archaeology (old things) or biology (living things). They also have special training in education.
The museum hosts several exciting events each year. One popular event is the annual Farm Day. This is held at the Fish Family Farm in Bolton. The museum also has art exhibits during the school year. Eight elementary schools in Manchester choose student artwork. This artwork is then sent to the museum. Students can come and see their own work on display!
Cool Exhibits to Explore
The Lutz Children's Museum has many interesting exhibits.
Main Street 1943
The "Main Street 1943" exhibit opened in 2010. It is a play area that looks like Main Street in Manchester. It shows what the town was like in the year 1943. You can see places like Marlow's department store. There are also typical Main Street apartments. The exhibit also shows things related to World War II. You might see an old radio or newspapers from that time. This exhibit helps you learn about Manchester's history. It also shows what the nation and world were like back then.
Farm Room
One of the most popular exhibits is the "Farm Room." This room has a play area about farm life. You can learn about working and living on a farm. There is even a statue of a cow that you can actually milk!
Animal Room
The Animal Room is a favorite part of the museum. It is home to many different animals. You can see snakes, chinchillas, turtles, and rabbits. There are also various birds. The most famous animal is Chuckles the woodchuck. Chuckles is special because he helps with the museum's annual Groundhog Day celebration!
Explore Nature at Oak Grove
The museum also works with the Town of Manchester. Together, they run the Oak Grove Nature Center. This center is located on a fifty-two-acre nature preserve. The museum uses the building for outdoor education programs. The nature center is open for special programs and events.
