Located on an 13-acre site in the historic town of Old Lyme, Connecticut, the Florence Griswold Museum features the restored Florence Griswold House, where the artists of the Lyme Art Colony lived. The property also includes a gallery for changing art exhibitions, education and landscape centers, extensive gardens, and a restored artist’s studio.
The cornerstone of the Museum is the Florence Griswold House, a fine example of a late Georgian-style house, designed in 1817 by Samuel Belcher. In 2006 the Museum completed restoration of the boardinghouse to its 1910 heyday, when American artists such as Childe Hassam and Willard Metcalf, as well as leading public figures such as Woodrow Wilson, called it their summer home. Between 1899 and the 1930s, over 135 American artists boarded in the Florence Griswold House – it was the center of Impressionism in America. Leading artists were invited to paint a panel on the walls or doors of the house. Over 43 panels now adorn the house, with a concentration in the Dining Room. Here is one of the most complete chronicles of the art colony movement in America.
The collection of fine and decorative arts spans the history of American art from the 18th century to the present day, with a focus on the art and culture of Connecticut. Includes iconic examples of Hudson River School and American Impressionism, and recent acquisitions highlight modern and contemporary artists working in Connecticut.
Museum is a member of the Connecticut Art Trail, a partnership of 18 museums and historic sites. The Art Pass, which is good for a year, includes one-day admission to each museum.