All industrial & heritage museums to visit in Connecticut

Explore the impact of industry on society at 18 industrial heritage museums in Connecticut. These museums showcase the history of manufacturing, technology, and labor.

Are you curious about the history of industry and innovation? These are the top industrial heritage museums in Connecticut:

  1. Eric Sloane Museum1

    Eric Sloane Museum

     Kent, CT
    The Eric Sloane Museum, previously known as the Sloane-Stanley Museum, is located in Kent, Connecticut. The museum showcases the studio and antique hand tool collections of Eric Sloane. These collections provide a unique insight into the artist's life and work, making it a fascinating destination for those interested in art, history, and craftsmanship.
  2. Mystic Seaport Museum2

    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.
  3. Connecticut River Museum3

    Connecticut River Museum

     Essex, CT
    The Connecticut River Museum, located at Steamboat Dock in Essex, Connecticut, is an educational and cultural institution that emphasizes the marine environment and maritime heritage of the Connecticut River Valley. This focus provides a unique perspective on the region's history and culture, making it an interesting destination for those interested in maritime history and the natural environment.
  4. Submarine Force Museum4

    Submarine Force Museum

     Groton, CT
    The United States Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum is situated on the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut. This location is not only scenic but also significant, as it is the only submarine museum managed exclusively by the Naval History & Heritage Command division of the Navy. This makes it a unique destination for those interested in naval history and submarine technology.
  5. Submarine Force Library and Museum5

    Submarine Force Library and Museum

     Conning Towers Nautilus Park, CT
    The United States Navy Submarine Force Library and Museum is situated on the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut. This location offers a unique setting for the museum, providing visitors with a scenic view of the river while they explore the rich history of the submarine force.
  6. Ledyard Up-Down Sawmill6

    Ledyard Up-Down Sawmill

     Ledyard, CT
    The Ledyard Up-Down Sawmill, originally known as the Main Sawmill, is a historic 19th-century sawmill located at 175 Iron Street in Ledyard, Connecticut. Built in 1869 by Israel Brown, it is the only known operational mill of this type in the state. The sawmill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972 and is now owned by the town and administered by the local historical society as a museum.
  7. The Museum of Connecticut Glass7

    The Museum of Connecticut Glass

     Coventry, CT
    The Museum of Connecticut Glass, established on February 12, 1994, is situated in the historic Captain John Turner House, built in 1813, in Coventry, Connecticut. The museum's location is significant as it is one of the last remaining sites on the National Historic Glass Factory District. The museum focuses on the glassmaking industry in Coventry, which was active from approximately 1814–1848.
  8. National Helicopter Museum8

    National Helicopter Museum

     Stratford, CT
    The National Helicopter Museum, located in Stratford, Connecticut, is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the helicopter and aviation industry. The museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the development of helicopters and the aviation industry in the United States.
  9. Windham Textile and History Museum9

    Windham Textile and History Museum

     Willimantic, CT
    The Windham Textile and History Museum is situated in the New England region of the United States, specifically in Willimantic, Connecticut. The museum is currently located on Main Street, making it easily accessible for visitors.
  10. American Clock and Watch Museum10

    American Clock and Watch Museum

     Bristol, CT
    The American Clock & Watch Museum (ACWM) in Bristol, Connecticut, is a unique institution in the United States, focusing exclusively on horology - the history, science, and art of timekeeping and timekeepers. This specialization makes it a distinctive destination for those interested in the evolution of timekeeping devices and the science behind them.
  11. Danbury Railway Museum11

    Danbury Railway Museum

     Danbury, CT
    The Danbury Railway Museum is a significant historical site located in the former Union Station in downtown Danbury, Connecticut. The museum was established in the mid-1990s following the closure of the station by the Metro-North Railroad. It primarily focuses on the history of railroading in southern New England and neighboring New York. The museum is housed in a building that is architecturally distinctive, with Colonial Revival touches on a Richardsonian Romanesque structure.
  12. Jillison House Museum12

    Jillison House Museum

     Willimantic, CT
    The William Jillson Stone House, located at 561 Main Street inside Jillson Square Park in the Willimantic section of Windham, Connecticut, is a historic house museum. This location offers visitors a chance to step back in time and explore the history of the area through the lens of one of its early industrialists.
  13. Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum13

    Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum

     Willimantic, CT
    The Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum is situated on Route 32 in Willimantic, Connecticut. It was established by the Connecticut Eastern Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. The museum is a testament to the rich history of railroads in the region and offers a unique insight into the development of rail transport in the area.
  14. Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop14

    Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop

     Hamden, CT
    The Eli Whitney Museum, situated in Hamden, Connecticut, serves as an experimental learning workshop for students, teachers, and families. It provides a unique opportunity for visitors to engage in hands-on learning experiences, making it an ideal destination for those interested in history, design, and invention.
  15. Mattatuck Museum15

    Mattatuck Museum

     Waterbury, CT
    The Mattatuck Museum is a cultural institution located in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA. It is a place where visitors can explore the history, industries, and culture of Waterbury and the Central Naugatuck Valley area. The museum also showcases art, including works about the state's history, people, and scenery, and works of artists from Connecticut.
  16. 16

    Connecticut Air & Space Center

     Stratford, CT
    The Connecticut Air & Space Center is an aviation museum situated near the Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, Connecticut. The museum's primary focus is on the rich history of aviation in Connecticut, offering visitors a unique insight into the state's contribution to the field of aviation.
  17. Brayton Grist Mill & Marcy Blacksmith Museum17

    Brayton Grist Mill & Marcy Blacksmith Museum

     Pomfret, CT
    The Brayton Grist Mill is a historic grist mill situated at the entrance to Mashamoquet Brook State Park off United States Route 44 in Pomfret, Connecticut. This location offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a well-preserved piece of 19th-century rural history while also enjoying the natural beauty of the state park.
  18. 18

    Railroad Museum of New England

     Thomaston, CT
    The Railroad Museum of New England, located in Thomaston, Connecticut, offers a unique experience for visitors. Through its operating subsidiary, the Naugatuck Railroad, the museum operates excursion and freight trains on the Torrington Secondary between Waterville and Torrington. This provides an opportunity for tourists to enjoy a scenic train ride while learning about the history and significance of railroads in New England.