Located just off I-95, Exit 83, the Lyman Allyn Art Museum has enjoyed celebrating the arts with visitors for almost a century. Featuring particularly strong collections of American paintings and decorative arts, the Museum also presents a wide range of changing exhibitions and programs throughout the year. Outside, our sculpture trail is surrounded by 12 rolling acres of gardens and lawns for walks and picnics.
Established by a gift from Harriet Allyn in memory of her seafaring father, the Museum opened the doors of its beautiful neo-classical building in 1932. Today it houses a fascinating collection of more than 19,000 objects from ancient times to the present: artworks from Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe, with particularly strong collections of American paintings, decorative arts, and Victorian toys and doll houses.
The Museum is particularly proud of its commitment to provide art education and cultural enrichment to the youth of the region, with over 4,000 school children visiting the museum each year. Through our Yellow Bus Fund, the Lyman Allyn collaborates with New London and southeastern Connecticut school systems to design and present art programs based on specific curriculum needs for students in grades pre-K through 12.
Throughout each year, the Lyman Allyn offers special programming including exhibition openings, lectures, educational opportunities, and musical events for families and the general public. Guided tours, self-guided exploration, and tours customized for a group’s needs or goals are all available.
Tour time: 1.5 hours
