mattatuck museum arts and history center

loua763

If you like history and want to learn about connecticut this a a great start. They have the museum and a nice cafe. You can take a walking tour of the architecture in the city. That in it self is worth it because of the old buildings and the charm. This is a hidden gem in the stae that is not well known.

misterb129

I visited this museum recently to view the current exhibit about the art colony from Kent, Connecticut. I was surprised at the quality of the other exhibits. The permanent collection on display was very interesting but I was fascinated by the exhibit pertaining to Waterbury and the history of manufacturing there. They also have a great cafe for a quick lunch. Don't miss this museum.

Artistsfara

This museum shows world class art work . It also has a very nice restaurant. The staff is very nice and helpful. The curator took time to explain an art exhibit to me.

4Steve2014

The Mattatuck Museum has an interesting combination of art and displays pertaining to the history of Connecticut. There is a large room full of oil paintings depicting local and historic landmarks and panoramas, a gallery of studies of light and shadow in the woods with snow, and two large galleries of art as well as a video presentaion on the artist. There are various artifacts from Connecticut's history, a rooftop of metal sculpture, and a collection of antique buttons. A variety of interesting things to see!

HonestEvaluatorGal

The museum was a very pleasant surprise. The building is old and beautiful. When you enter the atmosphere is inviting as are staff. We are so happy that we were able to find this true treasure.We happened to spend a few hours in the industrial history area of the museum and still were not able to take it all in. A wonderful history of Waterbury, Connecticut. The displays are very well done. You just want to spend as much time as possible with each exhibit. We plan on returning to complete the exhibit and to take in the other exhibits at this very lovely museum.We are members of the NBMAA and Mattatuck honors this membership. You can also find a coupon in the Entertain Book. We were happy to give a donation.

johnkH3693BQ

Offers many programs about the local area. Tea Room has offered excellent meals to top off a visit with the local past of the area.

Connecticutosprey

We, my adult daughter and I, received a friendly greeting by the staff person, Daniel, who gave us a brief introduction to the exhibits and where to locate them. What an interesting museum this is. It had a very fine permanent art collection as well as special art exhibitions. There is a floor devoted to the history of Waterbury and the surrounding areas, with interactive exhibits and collections of manufactured tools, toys, household artifacts, furniture and excellent photographs depicting scenes through different periods. The top floor had a beautiful collection of buttons, which were one of the important area industries in the past. We came away feeling that we had been given a true insight into the cultural and historical life of Waterbury.We were especially struck by the warmth of the staff towards visitors and th excellence of the information and layouts of the various exhibits.

726walterp

Mattatuck was the original name for Waterbury, which industrialized from farmsteads and lumber mills to the prosperous Brass City in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Its museum has fascinating, hands-on, involving and well designed dioramas to tell the story of the town - from English colonial village to polyglot workplace. The contributions of its founders, its immigrants, its factory owners and its craftsmen are equally respected and represented - a wonderful American success story and tribute to the creative reinventions of its citizens when brass making literally went south and then plastic. The Mattatuck has a first class permanent art collection, with works from colonial times to the modern, including multiple contributions from 'locals' like Calder and Tanquy, as well as temporary exhibits from cutting edge artists. It's on the Waterbury Green, surrounded by interesting architecture, good places to eat, and beautiful churches. There's free parking behind the museum. Be sure not to miss the unique and extensive button collection on the top floor - all emblems of beauty, style and place in society!

guzmanmcg

If u want to learn the history of Waterbury this is the place to visit the art gallery is beautiful a donation is required but u can get free passes from library

dberrios2

Very interesting for locals to see the history of their city. Also small section of art. I actually spent a lot of time in the button room and was amazed at the display.

Sandylynn112

Mostly about the city if Waterbury, interesting for school children. Not really a tourist attraction

funchuckles

There is a few historical pictures and statues to see especially if your into history and especially for students who are in school and study history

Cameron06820

Waterbury is a city well past it's prime as the downtown green will show. This is a very poor, gritty city. But right at its center is this amazing museum. Other TA reviews drew me to visit and I was not disappointed. One of the best exhibits tells the history of the brass industry in the Valley... the Silicon Valley of its time, long since past. It's good that most of the museum's visitors are local school kids because they need to know what happened when industry outgrew the region's skills.There is also a great exhibit (currently) on the history of Preppy culture as well as extensive photo's, traditional oil paintings and more modern works. Though we didn't see it, there is also a Button Museum.Can't recommend this place enough if you're passing thru on I-84 or Route 8. Plenty of secure free parking behind the museum.

JoanK745

Beautiful museum, very unusual exhibits, great collections! A pleasure, had a nice docent and George at the desk was terrific! Had a resident in a wheelchair and they could've have been more accommodating !

962JenniferC

I recently visited the Mattatuck Museum for the first time for a conference. What a great museum. The galleries are so nice. The conference room worked out perfectly. And the staff was wonderful. I plan to visit again soon-- loved the sneak peak of the 1960s clothing store exhibit!! Thanks.