March 2025:

Monday, March 31

Long Island Sound

Ages 6–8

The Long Island Sound is fed by many rivers, including the Connecticut, Housatonic, Thames, Mianus, Norwalk, Pequonnock, and our very own Mill River found just outside our front door. Join us to discover aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial animals that make their home in and around the Sound. Study birds, fish, harbor seals, blue whales, dolphins, shellfish, and crabs from Mill River down to the New Haven Harbor and into the Long Island Sound.

The Mechanics of Sound

Ages 9–12

What is sound? Humans typically hear sounds ranging from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Hertz (Hz) is a measurement of frequency. Can you visualize sound? We will explore the mechanics of sound and visualize a range of frequencies by making and experimenting with Chladni plates. Create a rhythm by programming a machine.

Monday, April 14

Designing Cities

Ages 6–8

Create a unique neighborhood by sanding, shaping, and coloring wooden house blocks. Use three distinct shapes to design your imagined city block. Next, work with your friends to build a cardboard city. Use an interchangeable cardboard block system that was designed in our workshop. Through collaborative efforts, you and your friends can create the essential components of a working city.

Sustainable Architecture

Ages 9–12

Design and build a solar-powered sustainable house. Learn how the future of sustainable construction will help our planet. We are grateful to the American Institute of Architects for their meaningful collaboration and generous sponsorship of this program! The first 30 registrants will receive a $22 scholarship for this program.

Visit our website for more details.

Register Now!

In the Community

Little Free Library: Dr. Reginald Mayo School

Like the budding flowers of spring, Little Free Libraries built by the Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop are beginning to pop up all over New Haven.

Our most recent installation was at the Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Childhood School in collaboration with teacher Casey Ajello. Casey's pre-K students painted small wooden birds made on our laser cutters to decorate the walls of this colorful new schoolyard feature.

Are you a teacher with a location in mind for our next Little Free Library? Let us know!

A New Life for the Mill River Map

Our temporary exhibit of the Mill River Map continues its journey! Learn about its new role in a local school from educator Myree Conway:

"Last summer, participants in the Seedlings Collaborative Summer Program created a fantastic display of the Mill River showcasing the river's land, ecosystems, history, and the impact of humans on it.

This model was initially displayed at the Eli Whitney Museum. Members of the Seedlings Collaborative were offered the opportunity to bring a piece into their classrooms. I was fortunate enough to receive a section that I worked on with other first and second-grade teachers. My first-grade students absolutely loved it!

They were completely engaged in play, asking thoughtful questions about the Mill River, and even adding their own imaginative stories to the display. It was a truly wonderful and interactive way to connect them with their local environment. I am deeply grateful to Seedlings and Eli Whitney for their partnership in providing my class with this enriching hands-on environmental education experience."

2025 Annual Fundraiser: The Landscape

Leonardo da Vinci’s earliest known drawing was a landscape depicting the Arno River Valley. From sketches to sculpture, this year's Leonardo Challenge is your opportunity to tell the story of the landscape you observe and celebrate the creativity of our community.

Learn More

Are you an artist interested in donating an artwork to our annual fundraiser?

Call for Entries

Register for Summer Camp Today!

Summer Camp Spotlight: Kayak

Kayak is a special two-week camp for ages 12–15 where students build a twelve-foot recreational kayak perfect for fishing, photography, or simply a casual paddle. Campers will build a fuselage-style frame in the style of Kudzu craft boats, skin the kayak with synthetic fabric and apply a waterproof finish.

For our kayak campers, there's nothing like the feeling of taking a boat built by your own two hands down the Mill River on a summer afternoon. It is a mix of pride, wonder, and an incredibly satisfying sense of accomplishment. Sign up today!

Register for Kayak!

Visit Us

We offer walk-in projects for children of all ages.

Saturdays and Sundays

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Interested in booking a school field trip, professional development program, birthday party, or party rental?

Contact Us

203.777.1833

[email protected]