Yale has formidable collections, which it opens to the public. The Yale University Art Gallery, founded in 1832, is the oldest university art gallery in this country. The Yale Center for British Art is the largest collection of art outside the United Kingdom, and the Peabody Museum of Natural History houses an important collection of dinosaur fossils. The Yale University Collection of Musical Instruments has almost 1,000 instruments on display, and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library features one of the last surviving Gutenburg Bibles along with numerous other treasures.

As you cross into adjoining Hamden from New Haven, the Eli Whitney Museum honors the great inventor with displays dedicated to his “passion for making things.” For military buffs, Fort Nathan Hale and Black Rock Fort are open to the public, highlighting action that took place in the New Haven area. The entire region is rich in Colonial history, and walking tours highlight historic homes and buildings in New Haven as well as in neighboring towns.

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale
(203) 432-2977
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
www.library.yale.edu/beinecke/brblhome.htm

One of the largest libraries in the world devoted to rare books, this building holds 500,000 volumes and several million manuscripts. On permanent display is an original copy of the Gutenberg Bible.

Connecticut Afro-American Historical Society
(203) 392-6126
SCSU, Wintergreen Building #117
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515

Now located on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University in the Ethnic Heritage Center, the Society honors African-Americans and their place in the history of New Haven and the nation.

Connecticut Children’s Museum
(203) 562-5437
22 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Designed for children seven and under, this museum provides activities and displays that enable children to learn while they play.

Eli Whitney Museum
(203) 777-1833
915 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, CT 06517
www.eliwhitney.org

Established in Whitney’s restored gun factory where mass production originated, this museum features programs, lectures and workshops designed to demonstrate and teach the principles behind machinery and technology. The museum includes an outdoor water learning lab and the 1816 Barn, a popular summer venue for dances, holiday celebrations and music.

Ethnic Heritage Center at SCSU
(203) 392-6126
Wintergreen Building #117
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515

Now open on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University, this center comprises historical societies representing the Jewish, Afro, Irish, Italian, Ukrainian and other ethnic American communities.

Irish-American Historical Society
(203) 392-6126
SCSU, Wintergreen Building #117
501 Crescent Street
New Haven, CT 06515

Now located on the campus of Southern Connecticut State University in the Ethnic Heritage Center, the Irish-American Historical Society traces the history of the Irish immigration and commemorates the potato famine that resulted in the diaspora.

Jewish Historical Society
(203) 392-5860 or -6125
Ethnic Heritage Center
SCSU Wintergreen Building,
501 Crescent Street,
New Haven, CT 06515-1355

The history of the Jewish community in New Haven is documented through archival information and memorabilia.

Knights of Columbus Headquarters Museum and Archives
(203) 772-2130
1 Columbus Plaza
New Haven, CT 06510
www.kofc.org

Mon-Fri 8-4:30
This historical museum features artifacts, documents and works of art that trace the history of this worldwide insurance and fraternal organization, which has its world headquarters in New Haven.

New Haven Colony Historical Society
(203) 562-4183
114 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06510

Tracing the history of the New Haven colony from 1638 to the present, the Historical Society offers a library, archives, education department, extensive manuscript collection, and historical and industrial exhibits that feature such items as Eli Whitney’s cotton gin.

102nd Infantry Regiment Museum and National Guard Armory
(203) 784-6851
290 Goffe Street
New Haven, CT 06511

This museum houses a treasure of rare military items, including a full-size bunker, an 1897 French 75mm cannon, and artifacts from the Civil War, Spanish-American War, Mexican Border Wars, both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf.

Peabody Museum of Natural History
(203) 432-5050
170 Whitney Avenue
New Haven, CT 06511
www.peabody.yale.edu

Built in 1866 as part of Yale University, the Peabody Museum is one of the largest and oldest natural history museums in the country. It houses the Pulitzer Prize-winning mural, The Age of Reptiles, and a world-famous collection of dinosaur fossils. The museum also offers permanent exhibits on mammals, minerals, Native Americans of the plains, Connecticut birds, Pacific cultures, and human origins. A wide variety of events for children is scheduled including tours, films, lectures, workshops and nature programs.

Shoreline Trolley Museum
(203) 467-6927, (203) 467-7635
17 River Street
East Haven, CT 06513
www.bera.org

This museum features 100 trolleys dating from 1903 to 1939 and a three-mile ride on a genuine vintage trolley.

Smiles Entertainment Center
(203) 877-3229
1607 Boston Post Rd
Milford, CT 06460