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Florence Griswold Museum
Calendar of Events

Join us for our exciting offerings. Reservations required unless otherwise noted. Call (860) 434-5542, ext. 111 or email frontdesk@flogris.org.

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A "*" designates a child-friendly event.

THE Magic of Christmas Celebration

November 20 through January 9

The Museum promises triple the “magic” during the Magic of Christmas celebration. Fantasy Trees, the iconic Palette Tree, and the historic decorations in the Florence Griswold House provide holiday joy for all ages.

In the Gallery, four elaborate Fantasy Trees evoke the magic of the current exhibition, With Needle and Brush: Schoolgirl Embroidery. “A team of talented artists and designers work year round to plan and design the trees,” explains David Rau, Director of Education and Outreach. “They work their ‘magic’ by taking an intriguing theme to dynamic heights. You never quite know what to expect!”

Miss Florence’s Artist Tree is back for its seventh year with additional painted palettes, bringing the count to over 100 artists from across the country who have donated works to this one-of-a-kind tradition. The 12-foot tree has become a holiday icon for the region. The idea of artists painting on palettes relates directly to the Museum’s history as the center for the Lyme Art Colony, and alludes to the doors and wooden wall panels the artists painted throughout Miss Florence's house over a hundred years ago. The palette artists’ styles and subject matter are as varied as the individuals. Oils, acrylics, watercolors, ceramics, and collage are used to transform the palettes into traditional holiday scenes, delightful landscapes, and more than a few surprises! r.

In the historic rooms of the Griswold House visitors can see how families celebrated Christmas in 1910, as historically accurate decorations reveal homespun creativity and the use of surprising materials. The 1910 time period was an important era for the Griswold House, as it was the heyday of its use as boardinghouse for the artists of the Lyme Art Colony. Christmas was also Miss Florence’s birthday! She would have been 60 in 1910.