May 7 is Free Day at the Florence Griswold Museum

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011


10AM-5PM

Old Lyme, CT, March 22, 2011 – On Saturday, May 7 from 10am to 5pm, the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme opens free to everyone for this EIGHTH annual community day. It is the only day each year the Museum is open without charge to celebrate spring and showcase its summer offerings to the public. It is a great time to gather family and friends for a day of exciting programs, exceptional art, and beautiful views. Visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring two special exhibitions, In Bloom: Mountain Laurel and the Lyme Art Colony and Inspiration and Impact: The Legacy of the Hartford Steam Boiler Collection, wandering through historic gardens, playing gallery games, making art, visiting an artist's studio, or just strolling along the Lieutenant River.


Visitors can also enjoy the restored Griswold House, where artists painted directly on the doors and wall panels over one hundred years ago – there’s no other place like it in America!

Enjoy refreshments and try ice cream from the Old Lyme Ice Cream Shoppe, including Miss Florence’s Ripple Crunch, a flavor they created for the Museum.


Last year, the Museum's free day drew a record number of visitors who enjoyed a relaxing day at one of the area's top cultural attractions. "Many visitors on our annual free day have never been to the Museum before," stated David D.J. Rau, Director of Education and Outreach. “The fun and educational activities for all ages are a wonderful introduction to all we have to offer."


A historic center for American art, the Florence Griswold Museum encompasses eleven acres along the Lieutenant River in Old Lyme. The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. The Museum is located at 96 Lyme Street, Old Lyme, CT, exit 70 off I-95.  For additional information contact the Museum at 860-434-5542 or www.FlorenceGriswoldMuseum.org.