Connecticut League of Museums

Help Us Support Museums Statewide

The Connecticut League of Museums is a nonprofit membership organization serving museums of all sizes and disciplines across the state. We serve an active membership of over 600 individuals representing more than 250 organizations here in Connecticut. From local historical societies to nationally known attractions, from art and history museums to natural history and children's museums, from literary institutions to botanical gardens, we represent the breadth of our state's rich cultural heritage.

You have seen how challenging it is for museums and local history organizations these days. From attacks on the agencies that fund museums and libraries, to grant cancellations that have trickled down to the state agencies that fund arts, culture, and the humanities, it's been a rollercoaster of a year. In Connecticut, federal grants to museums are down from nearly $1.5 million annually to less than $100,000 a year. That is an astounding drop, and it has been devastating for our members and for us.

Our fundraiser is a concrete way for you to support the hundreds of local institutions that are doing the real, in-the-trenches work of collecting and interpreting the full American story; sharing the works of art that fascinate, surprise, and connect us; devising imaginative activities for young children and their families; caring for the natural history specimens that help us understand our amazing planet; and sparking conversations and introspection through literature.

About the League

Since 1950, we have supported our state’s museums, historical societies, and cultural sites, and the people who make them tick. We have over 75 years of experience strengthening Connecticut’s museum community through training, workshops, networking opportunities, funding resources, and advice on best practices and current trends in the field. Our members include cultural organizations large and small, as well as individuals and students. We are especially proud to serve the many all-volunteer museums across Connecticut, helping them collect and share local stories in ways that represent and engage their communities.

What We Do

• Share resources, job openings, grants and funding opportunities, and guidance on best practices in the museum field


• Offer free and affordable training through regular programs and events


• Run an Annual Conference that brings together 200+ people for a day of learning and sharing


• Provide direct services in the field through site visits and outreach


• Increase access to museum and archival collections through Connecticut Collections, our open-source collections management system and public research portal


• Recognize excellent work through annual Awards of Merit
  


• Advocate for museums and elevate the voices of Connecticut's museum sector in Hartford and D.C.


• Educate and help train the next generation of museum and public history professionals through our partnership with the Public History MA Program at Central Connecticut State University
  


• Promote our members' events and achievements to the wider community

Get Involved!

We invite you to learn more about our work by attending one of our events, signing up for our conference, browsing Connecticut Collections, or watching some of our past virtual programs.

Who We Are

Since 1950, CLHO has strengthened and sustained members by sharing knowledge and experience and promoting best practices among museums, historical societies and all who steward Connecticut's heritage collections.

What CLHO and You Do Together

Unite, support, and promote historical interests and activities statewide
Share contemporary trends that affect historical societies, museums, and libraries,
Serve as a communication hub facilitating peer-to-peer networking,
Support those who promote and safeguard Connecticut’s cultural heritage,
Offer a flexible and responsive array of programs and publications
Advocate for increased support of Connecticut's heritage