New Britain Industrial Museum, New Britain Travel Guide

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Discover New Britain's industrial heritage: innovation, invention, and the legacy of the "Hardware City of the World."

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New Britain Industrial Museum

Explore New Britain's rich industrial past at this museum, showcasing the city's significant contributions to manufacturing and innovation. Discover artifacts from Stanley Works, Fafnir, and other local companies that shaped American industry.

A brief summary to New Britain Industrial Museum

59 W Main St, New Britain, Connecticut, 06051, US
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Wednesday 1 pm-4:30 pm
Saturday 1 pm-4:30 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring New Britain Industrial Museum.

Check the museum's website for temporary exhibits and special events to enhance your visit.
Metered street parking is available on West Main and Washington Streets.
Consider visiting the nearby New Britain Museum of American Art to complement your cultural experience.
The museum is wheelchair accessible, ensuring a comfortable visit for all guests.

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Other nearby places you may find interesting

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New Britain Museum of American Art

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Explore New Britain Industrial Museum on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near New Britain Industrial Museum, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From New Britain City Hall, walk west on West Main Street for about two blocks. The New Britain Industrial Museum will be on your right at 59 W Main St, next to City Hall.
Public Transport

From the CTfastrak Downtown New Britain Station, take any local CTTransit bus that stops along West Main Street. The fare is $1.75. Get off at the Main St and West St stop. Walk east along West Main Street for about 0.3 miles. The New Britain Industrial Museum will be on your right at 59 W Main St.
Parking

Plentiful metered on-street parking is available on West Main and Washington Streets. Metered garage parking is also available in the Badolato Garage, accessible on Washington Street and Columbus Boulevard. Metered parking costs $1.50 per hour.

Discover more about New Britain Industrial Museum

The New Britain Industrial Museum celebrates the city's legacy as the "Hardware City of the World," displaying artifacts from over 47 local companies, some dating back over 200 years. Founded in the early 1990s by Horace B. Van Dorn III, the museum aims to preserve and exhibit the ingenuity and creativity of New Britain's industrial past. The museum's collection includes machinery, tools, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the city's industrious spirit.Exhibits showcase a range of innovations, from 19th-century hooks and eyes to 21st-century ERA Cobra Cars. The museum also features temporary exhibits, such as "Signs of New Britain," which displays signs from local businesses and manufacturers. The museum's mission is to cultivate awareness of the city's past productivity and inspire future industrial accomplishment.For most of the 20th century, nearly every American came into contact with at least one product that was either made in New Britain, contained a component made there, or was manufactured using a New Britain machine. The museum serves as a bridge between New Britain's past and present, providing inspiration for the future.