OLD LYME, CT.-The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut announces special reduced admission fees during the Florence Griswold House Restoration Project. Effective Thursday, September 1, admission to the Museum is $5 for adults, seniors, and students. There is no charge for visitors under 12 years of age. The new pricing reflects nearly 30% off the previous charge of $7 for adults. Celebrated as the Home of American Impressionism, the Florence Griswold House is presently undergoing the most extensive renovation in its illustrious 188-year history. The scope of this project includes stabilization of the exterior features of the house and upgrades to its climate controls, electrical, lighting, and fire protection systems. The Griswold House will reopen in Summer 2006 with a new, permanent reinterpretation as the boardinghouse of the Lyme Art Colony around 1910.

Museum officials decided to reduce admission because of public perception that the entire site is closed during the Restoration Project. A visit to the Florence Griswold Museum is made up of multiple experiences. In addition to the 1817 Griswold House, the Museum features a riverfront gallery with changing exhibitions, an education center, historic gardens, a restored artist studio and a variety of special events and activities. “We kept hearing that people either thought we were closed or were waiting until the Florence Griswold House reopened to visit,” explains Jeffrey Andersen, director of the Museum. “With all the special exhibitions and programming scheduled from now until the house opens, we thought that a reduced admission for adults and seniors and free entry for kids might entice visitors and make up for the fact that one of the attractions is not available.”

The reduced prices come at a time when people are preparing for fall foliage getaways and tourist officials hope that the lower fee and special programs will promote visitation to eastern Connecticut. “The Florence Griswold Museum is one of our most respected destinations,” notes Donna Simpson, Executive Director of Mystic Country/Connecticut. “Even with the restoration project underway, one of the current exhibitions, ‘The Holy House,’ invites you to examine selected items from the Griswold House as never before. Out-of-state visitors and Connecticut residents alike will realize that even during this period of transition, there are many reasons to visit and re-visit the Museum.”

The first special exhibition effected by the new pricing is the popular summer exhibition, “May Night, Willard Metcalf at Old Lyme,” on view through Sunday, September 11. September 11 is also “Family Day” when the Museum, along with the five other museums of the Family Fun Trail offer family-oriented activities. From 1-5pm families can enjoy painting together in Miss Florence's garden or down by the river. At 2pm an exuberant drumming circle will be led by teacher Fre Atlast. All activities are free with Museum admission.

On Saturday, September 17 “The Allen Sisters: Pictorial Photographs of New England, 1885 – 1920,” opens with a special event. From 2-5pm visitors can walk inside a life-size Camera Obscura and learn the optical phenomena that led to the development of photography.

Open year round, the Florence Griswold 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.flogris.org.