From October through May, the Stowe Center for Literary Activism offers group tours for learners of all ages. Through a partnership with Hartford Public Schools, we have brought every 5th grader in the district to the museum as part of the Wit and Wisdom curriculum. This partnership has given Hartford students access to civics education at the museum and increased visitation from our community by about 200% over the 2025–2026 school year.
This year, the Stowe Center has partnered with the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History and with schools in Greater Hartford and across Connecticut to offer civics-based educational tours through the CT Civics Education through Museum Enrichment (CEME) program. The program gives students the opportunity to experience history both at the museum and in their schools. The grant provides free tours for Title I schools across the state and discounted tickets for students at schools statewide.
This month, as part of the CEME grant, students from Renzulli Academy took an Inheriting Freedom tour, drew themselves into history with our Draw Yourself into History zine program, and were inspired to get civically engaged. The teachers and chaperones enjoyed their visit, too. One teacher, Ms. St. Germain, said, “They [the Stowe Center museum guides] used all modalities in both presentation and response which ensured all students had the best possible opportunity to learn.”
When the students returned to school, they worked on a civics project, making lawn signs encouraging their neighbors to get out and vote! We were delighted when Ms. St. Germain returned to the Stowe Center a few days later with the signs for us to display at our Little Free Library and Pantry on Forest Street.
This season, we are inspired by the youth in our community to get out and VOTE. To register to vote, visit https://voterregistration.ct.gov/OLVR/welcome.do.
If you’re ready to be inspired for change, book your tour at www.StoweCenter.org/visit.
