The New Britain Museum of American Art..A Wonderful Daytrip Destination

New Britain, Ct is a suburb of the Capital city of Connecticut, which is Hartford. For many years, New Britain, Ct has been known as the “Hardware City”, because several large Hardware Companies have based their headquarters there. The most notable among these companies is Stanley Tools. New Britain, Ct is primarily an industrial, blue- collar town known for its large Polish community. Located on a bucolic, tree- lined street there, in a Victorian mansion, is a wonderful American Art Museum.

The New Britain Museum of American Art, at 56 Lexington Street, is located near Walnut Hill Park, a beautiful public facility lined with cherry trees. The museum’s main building has housed its impressive art collections since 1937, but beginning in April 2006, after years of expansion work, the New Britain Museum of American Art will grow by 43,000 square feet, to twice its previous size.

Upon entering the New Britain Museum of American Art, one of the first things that visitors notice is the cherry and oak woodwork present throughout the building. Large Abstract and Realist canvases grace the walls of the community area, where patrons gather for films, lectures and other events. A sunny Cafe’, a charming Gift Shop and an information booth designed to look like a ship, are some of the features greeting visitors to the New Britain Museum of American Art. Works by Sol LeWitt, an internationally known conceptual artist and New Britain native, figure prominently in the lobby of the New Britain Museum of American Art.

Part of the museum’s expansion is an attractive new stone and glass building adjacent to the original structure. The additional space, with its high- ceilings and abundant windows, provides a modern sensibilty to the contemporary museum visitor. Twelve new galleries are housed at the New Britain Museum of American Art. On the first floor, several small galleries are arranged in order of painting period. Many very old and famous paintings ranging from Colonial- era to late 19th century , are exhibited in these galleries. The upstairs galleries feature works ranging from early 20th century artists to examples of modern art. Works by Edward Hopper, Mary Cassatt, Jackson Pollock and Joseph Badger, among many others, are featured in these galleries.

With 5000 works of art, spanning 400 years, in its collection, the New Britain Museum of American Art is especially proud of its series of Thomas Hart Benton’s murals titled ” The Arts of Life in America”. The well- known series of images portraying a cross- section of America in the 1930’s fill an entire room, or gallery. Other areas of note are the Colonial period, American Impressionism and the Hudson River School of Painting galleries.

The New Britain Museum of American Art is a very community- minded institution that provides many programs and services. There is a music series on Sundays, “Art Happy Hours” are held frequently and a host of children’s and family programs are regularly offered. With an on- premises cafe’ and modern- art diversions, the New Britain Museum of american Art is an ideal place to bring well behaved children on a rainy afternoon. For art lovers of all ages, the New Britain Museum of American Art is a great place to stop and smell the roses and appreciate some wonderful works of art.

The New Britain Museum of American Art
56 Lexington St, New Britian, Ct (860)229-0257 www.nbmaa.org

Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 12 noon – 5:00 pm

Admission is $9.00….$8.00 for senior citizens..$7.00 for students….free for children under 12.