All open air museums to visit in Connecticut

Experience history come to life at open-air museums in Connecticut. These museums feature historical buildings, reenactments, and interactive exhibits in an outdoor setting.

Are you interested in experiencing history firsthand? These are the best open air museums in Connecticut:

  1. Mystic Seaport Museum1

    Mystic Seaport Museum

     Mystic, CT
    The Mystic Seaport Museum, located in Mystic, Connecticut, holds the title of the largest maritime museum in the United States. It is renowned for its extensive collection of sailing ships and boats. Additionally, the museum is known for its re-creation of a 19th-century seaport village, providing visitors with a unique glimpse into the past.
  2. Mill Hill Historic Park2

    Mill Hill Historic Park

     Norwalk, CT
    Mill Hill Historic Park in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a living history museum that offers a unique glimpse into the past. The park is composed of three historic buildings: the circa 1740 Governor Thomas Fitch IV "law office", the c. 1826 Downtown District Schoolhouse, and the 1835 Norwalk Town Hall. In addition to these buildings, the park also features a historic cemetery known as the Town House Hill Cemetery. Each of these elements contributes to the rich historical tapestry of the park, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the area's history.
  3. Boothe Memorial Park and Museum3

    Boothe Memorial Park and Museum

     Stratford, CT
    The Boothe Memorial Park and Museum is an open-air museum situated on a 32-acre site in the Putney section of Stratford, Connecticut. This unique location offers visitors a chance to explore a variety of architecturally unique buildings and structures, all within a beautiful park setting.
  4. Stanley Whitman House4

    Stanley Whitman House

     Farmington, CT
    The Stanley-Whitman House, located at 37 High Street in Farmington, Connecticut, is a historic house museum. Constructed around 1720, it stands as one of the oldest houses in Farmington, offering a glimpse into the architectural and cultural history of the area.
  5. Putnam Memorial State Park - "Connecticut's Valley Forge"5

    Putnam Memorial State Park - "Connecticut's Valley Forge"

     Redding, CT
    Putnam Memorial State Park, located in the town of Redding, Connecticut, is a public recreation area with a rich historical background. The park preserves the site where Major General Israel Putnam chose to encamp his men during the harsh winter of 1778/1779 amidst the American Revolutionary War. This site offers visitors a glimpse into the past, providing a tangible connection to the events and people that shaped the nation's history.