Our Founder - Hazel P. Lutz
In the heart of Manchester, Connecticut, a dream began to take shape. A group of dedicated educators and community leaders envisioned a place where children could explore, learn, and grow. They yearned for a space that would ignite curiosity, spark imagination, and foster a lifelong love of learning. The Lutz Children's Museum started with a simple idea and a lot of heart from our Founder, Hazel P. Lutz.
Miss Hazel P. Lutz was the Chairperson for the Art Department in the Manchester schools at this time. She approached the PTA Council with a suggestion to form a community youth museum. They put their complete support behind her proposal and even voted to name the new museum in her honor. The Lutz Junior Museum was formed on March 4, 1953, by a vote of the Manchester Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council.
With unwavering determination, they rallied the community behind their vision. Fourteen schools pledged their support, donating a portion of their funds and offering volunteer hours. Teachers were surveyed to ensure the museum would meet their students' educational needs. And the generous people of Manchester donated a wealth of materials and artifacts.
The enthusiasm and excitement that radiated from the community fueled the project. Together, they transformed a vacant space into a magical wonderland. And so, the Lutz Children's Museum was born, a testament to the power of community and the enduring spirit of learning.
Journey through Time!
1953: The Waddell School.
1964: Oak Grove Nature Center
1953: The Waddell School.
The Board of Education offered the museum its first home in the basement of Waddell School.
It was from here that the exhibits were cataloged, assembled, and distributed.
By 1957, the rapidly expanding museum possessed hundreds of kits and had a volunteer league of one hundred people.
1958: 126 Cedar Street
1964: Oak Grove Nature Center
1953: The Waddell School.
The museum was incorporated as a private non-profit organization in 1958. The Board of Education offered the museum a new home in June of that same year. The museum was moved to 126 Cedar Street, which is adjacent to Washington School. That building was originally constructed by the Cheney family (owners of the nearby mills) in 1859 as a school for their children and those of the factory workers. On September 26, 1958, the museum opened its doors to the public and began a new phase in its life. The museum now had a home that would allow the display of its collection, the exhibit of live animals, and a space to hold year-round classes for children.
1964: Oak Grove Nature Center
1964: Oak Grove Nature Center
1964: Oak Grove Nature Center
In 1964, the museum expanded its operation when the Town of Manchester entrusted it with 53 acres of land. Trails were cleared, bridges built, and a building erected on the site. The Oak Grove Nature Center enabled the museum to supplement school science with outdoor nature studies.
1982: South School
2026: Manchester Library
1964: Oak Grove Nature Center
The museum had outgrown its home on Cedar Street when the Town of Manchester proposed a larger building in 1982. The former South School building is situated beside the Charter Oak Reservoir with scenic views of the Manchester Country Club. The museum accepted the larger building and adopted a new name at the same time. We became the “Lutz Children’s Museum.”
2026: Manchester Library
2026: Manchester Library
2026: Manchester Library
Imagining a future at the Manchester Library, the Lutz Children's Museum envisions a vibrant and engaging space that will offer a wider range of interactive exhibits, educational workshops, and community events.
The museum will utilize the library's larger footprint to create dedicated areas for different age groups, ensuring that every child, from age two (2) to ten (10), has a tailored experience.
Reservation Guidelines
Thank you for visiting the Lutz Children's Museum website. We ask that patrons please reserve tickets in advance.