Mission:
The Eli Whitney Museum is an experimental learning workshop for students, teachers, and families. We collect interpret and teach experiments that are the roots of design and invention.
The Eli Whitney Museum was established in 1979 as a not-for-profit historic site and educational organization. The Museum preserves the site on which Whitney constructed the first American factory in 1798. Members govern the Museum.
An end-gable Barn that Whitney designed in 1816 and the beauty of the fall of water recall the ingenuity and balance that made Whitneyville an American icon.
The Museum celebrates the Whitney tradition of learning by experiment. The Museum designs, produces and teaches projects that engage hands, eyes and minds...projects that blend art, science and invention.
Each year students and apprentices construct more than 70,000 projects in the Museum's eight teaching studios and in the programs that cross Connecticut. In scope and scale, the Museum's programs are unrivaled.
The Museum is wheelchair accessible. Employment and programs are available to all regardless of race, gender, religion, creed, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or age.
About Us:
The Eli Whitney Museum and Workshop is an experimental learning workshop for students, teachers, and families. We collect, interpret, and teach experiments that are the roots of design and invention.
Welcome to October All About the Arts Open Studios: October 12–13 We are thrilled to host the third annual Amplify the Arts Festival at the Eli Whitney Museum Barn! The work of nine local artists will be featured over…
Read More »The main parking lot is closed. We are excited to announce that our bioswale and rain garden construction will begin this month! In collaboration with GNWPCA, the project will take place in the parking lot in front of the main building. The…
Read More »February 2024 Register for February Workshops Engineer's Week Vacation Programs Cardboard City Ages 6 - 8 Monday, Feb. 19 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's time to think creatively to ensure a brighter, healthier future. Design and build a city using…
Read More »This year we are offering more than fifty hands-on learning opportunities on our campus. With workshops ranging from The Art and Culture of Morocco to British Landscape Painting, Slime Camp to CNC Design, Sewing to Ceramics — there are options…
Read More »Registration is now open for Summer 2024 camps! This year we offer over fifty different hands-on learning opportunities on our campus. With workshops highlighting the art and culture of Morocco to Great Britain, Slime Camp, CNC Design, Sewing,…
Read More »Upcoming Programs Register for November Vacation Day Programs All camps are from 9 am to 3 pm. Camps cost $85. Before and after care are available. Call 203-777-1833 to ask about our scholarship opportunities. Tuesday, November 7 A-maze-ing…
Read More »Boundless Education invites 6th-7th grade students to participate in Advanced Problem Solving I, taught by Andrew Haynes beginning the week of November 12. Boundless Education has been successfully offering this problem solving course for 3…
Read More »The Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop is offering three adult workshops, beginning next week. Learn a new skill with a local craftsperson! Learn more! Hand-built Ceramics Instructor: Ryan Paxton Fee: $375 (includes materials) Tuesdays, 6–9…
Read More »Upcoming Programs Register for the Yom Kippur Vacation Day Program Join us for a special day of programs on Monday, September 25. Registration is also open for additional vacation programs. Back to the Basics 6–8 years old Create a…
Read More »Congratulations to the Class of 2023! Thank you to our graduating apprentices for all of your hard work over the past few years! We wish you all the best of luck. Keep in touch! Thank You for a Wonderful Summer! This summer was full of…
Read More »CT Humanities Sponsored: Free Summer Walk-ins Plan your visit to the museum! Saturdays & Sundays 10am-3pm The Eli Whitney Museum was recently awarded a grant from Connecticut Humanities to support our participation in the CT Summer at…
Read More »CT Humanities Sponsored: Boats Along the Connecticut Coast Spend your summer weekends at the Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop! Each weekend, museum visitors of all ages can build a small-scale replica of historic boats from the region…
Read More »In three weeks, we will welcome campers back to our campus at the Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop. Every year we strive to create camps that will engage new audiences, and we consider new ways to improve the safety of our campers and…
Read More »The 27th Annual Leonardo Challenge Leonardo: In Flight Join us next Thursday, May 18th, 5:30-9 pm at the Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop for our fundraiser, the 27th annual Leonardo Challenge. Tickets are available online and at the door.…
Read More »Summer Camp 2023 Highlight The Aztecs: Tenochtitlán 1518 Ages 9–?12, July 17–?21 Join us as we study the daily lives of the people of the great city of Tenochtitlán with a week of weaving, pottery, crafting, and…
Read More »Build Your Own Adirondack Chair! Prepare for the warm weather and backyard gatherings by building your own Adirondack Chair! Create a unique chair with instructors Mike Dunn and Andrew Sargent. Ages 16+ Thursdays beginning March…
Read More »Engineer's Week Vacation Programs Monday, February 20th, 2023 Ages 6-8: Totally Tubular Ages 9-12: Mechanical Hands Tuesday, February 21st, 2023 Ages 6-8: Shape and Structure Ages 9-12: Engineer Time For more program details, head to…
Read More »Summer Registration is now Open! This summer we are offering over 50 camps over 10 weeks from June 12th to August 18th. Topics range from the Depths of the Ocean to the Stellar Heights of Outer Space and everything in between. Sign up for one of…
Read More »Registration is now open for all 10 weeks of camp! This year we are offering over fifty different opportunities for hands-on learning on our campus. From the rainforests of the sea to the Queen of Hawaii, 3D printing to the art and science of…
Read More »December at the Whitney Workshop Embrace the season's festivities with the Eli Whitney Museum & Workshop this December! Join us for formal workshops, walk-in offerings on weekends, our holiday train display, and more. Spoon Carving Workshop…
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