12 organizations across Connecticut now offer free and discounted K-12 civics education programs for students
Programs funded through a $1M U.S. Department of Education grant with support from U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and
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Hartford, CT, Aug. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is pleased to announce Civics Education through Museum Enrichment (CEME) project in partnership with twelve Connecticut organizations across the state: The Democracy Center at Connecticut’s Old State House, Fairfield Museum and History Center, Stowe Center for Literary Activism, Institute for American Indian Studies Museum & Research Center, Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center, Litchfield Historical Society, Mystic Seaport Museum, New Haven Museum, The American Museum of Tort Law, The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor, and The Mark Twain House & Museum.
The exterior of the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History in Hartford, CT.
Funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the Connecticut Museum, the project offers free or discounted education programs for K-12 Connecticut students that introduce civics, community, and government to young learners through engaging and accessible activities. Over the previous 3 years, the education advocacy work of U.S. Congressman John B. Larson and the support of U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy helped launch a K-5 civics education through a smaller coalition of museums.
Since 2023, these efforts allowed over 50,000 elementary school students to take part in free and discounted civics education programs. As a new project, CEME builds on past successes by supporting all grades, K-12, and adding more museum partners, while continuing to offer free civic education programs to Connecticut’s Priority School Districts and Title I recipient schools. To further address obstacles to museum field trips, CEME also offers bus reimbursements to schools.
“The civics education programs with participating museums and organizations across the state are a terrific way to engage students with organizations within their community and better understand the role they play in our democracy,” Ilene Frank, Connecticut Museum Executive Director and CEO, said. “We are incredibly grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for funding this initiative and for our partners at the other organizations.”
CEME programs help eliminate barriers to civic learning and museum field trips by offering accessible opportunities for students in their area. Students of all ages can take part in hands-on learning experiences at museums they may not otherwise visit, further discovering all the civics resources they have to offer within their communities.
“We are excited to be offering 64 new programs at participating sites this year, as well as in-classroom outreach programs throughout the state,” Peter Moran, Project Director at the Connecticut Museum said. “Each program meets students at a level that they are at and teaches civics in an engaging, grade-appropriate way.”
All public, private, and homeschool K-12 classes in Connecticut are eligible to take part in CEME programs, with no application required. The programs align with the students’ social studies units. To learn more about CEME, including how to book a program for your classroom, view the brochure online at connecticutmuseum.org.
“Mystic Seaport Museum is thrilled to participate in the federally funded civics grant that enables Connecticut’s students to experience innovative civics education at museums across the state,” Sarah Cahill, Director of Education at Mystic Seaport Museum said. “The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, as the lead partner, has done a wonderful job harnessing the unique strengths of the participating Museums who have developed on-site, in-school, and virtual programming that teaches civics in a hands-on engaging manner.”
One of the many interactive exhibitions for students at the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History.
About Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History is a private, nonprofit organization established in 1825 as the state’s premier historical society and home for folk and traditional arts support since 2015. Located in the historic West End of Hartford, the Museum houses exhibitions, a library, a research center, and a vast collection that includes more than 4 million manuscripts, graphics, objects, and artifacts. The Museum strives to cultivate deep understanding of the history and culture of Connecticut, and its role in the United States and the world, through reflection of the past, active engagement with the present, and innovation for the future through our collections, research, educational programs, and exhibitions.
Press Inquiries
Jamie O’Brien
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https://www.connecticutmuseum.org/
One Elizabeth Street
Hartford CT, 06105
