The Museum’s exhibitions offer a wide range of learning experiences for groups of all ages.
Led by experienced docents and educators, our guided tours and art programs introduce groups to our permanent collection and special exhibitions.
Any group looking to book a guided or self-guided tour must fill out the tour request form (above) or email [email protected].
All guided tours require a minimum of eight participants and must be requested at least two weeks in advance.
School Groups
Enhance your classroom learning with a visit to the Museum. Make connections between art and local history, learn about important figures of the past, understand the importance of math and science to art, and more! All school programs are grounded in K-12 curriculum standards.
Adult & Senior Groups
Expand your knowledge of art and art history through the Lyman Allyn’s fascinating collections and exhibitions. Tours suit a variety of interests including, but not limited to, American Art, southeastern Connecticut maritime history, sculptures, gardening, and more.
Scouts
Use the Museum’s exhibitions, collections, and art lessons to work towards a merit badge. Scout programs align with a variety of badge and pin requirements for scout organizations including Boy Scouts of America, Girls Scouts, and Cub Scouts.
Homeschool
Homeschool tours and art programs provide an engaging learning experience for mixed age groups and grade levels. Private programs may be scheduled for homeschool families or local co-ops using this page.
Frequently Asked Questions
All guided group tours require a minimum of eight paying participants. Groups selecting the guided tour and art/writing workshop option may have up to 60 participants. Any group of 15 or more are asked to submit a tour request form.
For groups of 30 or less, up to three adult staff/chaperones are included in the total group cost. For groups of 40+, up to 10 adult staff/parent chaperones are included in the group fee.
An additional fee will be applied for each additional adult chaperone over the included limit.
Tours are available Tuesday – Saturday 9:45 am – 4 pm for guided-tours only (one-hour program), 9:45 am – 3 pm for a guided tour and project (two-hour program).
Any group looking to schedule a guided or self-guided tour must fill out the tour request form at the top of this page. All tour requests will be followed up via email from our Learning & Engagement Department. Tours are not confirmed without a confirmation form.
We require a minimum of two weeks’ notice for all guided group tour experiences and for all self-guided tours. This is to ensure our galleries do not get overcrowded and provide a better overall visitor experience.
We suggest reviewing our current and upcoming exhibitions prior to scheduling your tour as this may impact your date of interest.
Indoor and outdoor spaces may be available to reserve for up to 30 minutes free of charge. Please make note in the booking form if you are interested in reserving a space. If you wish to reserve a meeting or eating space for more than 30 minutes, please enquire about our room rental options.
Museum members and New London residents always receive free admission to the Lyman Allyn. Please note that any member or resident who would like to participate in a guided tour will be subject to a $2 per person tour cost. Additional fees for workshops may apply.
Through the Yellow Bus Fund, we are pleased to help cover the expense of buses for schools that would normally find this cost prohibitive when planning a visit. Due to the overwhelming interest, we can provide a full subsidy for the cost of transportation for New London public schools. The Museum will provide a 75% subsidy for the cost of transportation for schools in New London County and 50% subsidy for schools coming from outside New London County. The subsidy is paid for bus trips from your school directly to the Museum and back to your school with no additional stops.
Onsite group programs at the Lyman Allyn range in price depending on the services provided. Please review the chart below to determine your per person cost. Programs for New London Schools are subsidized in thanks to the Yellow Bus Fund.
Our Learning & Engagement team has assembled pre-visit guides for school and adult/senior groups. These guides provide additional information helpful to planning a group experience and selecting the option best suited to your group.
Still have questions? Please contact Sophia Gipstein Scirico, Learning & Engagement Coordinator, at [email protected] or 860.443.2545 ext. 2110.
Cost Breakdown
| Group | Guided Tour Only (one hour) | Tour & Art Workshop (90 minutes - two hours) |
|---|---|---|
| New London Public School | Free | Free |
| Schools (all other) | $6 per student | $7.50 per student |
| Scout Groups | $8 per student ($6 member) | $15 per student (members $12) |
| Homeschool Workshops | $8 per student ($6 member) | $15 per student (members $12) |
| Guided Program (adult & senior) | $14 adult / $11 senior | $16 adult / $13 senior |
| Members, New London residents & other free admission groups | $2 per person | Additional fees for workshops may apply. |
| Self-guided Visit | All self-guided visits are based on regular admission. |