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Florence Griswold Museum’s Growth Revitalizes Local Economy

OLD LYME, CT -- June 18, 2003: Less than a year after the opening of the new Krieble Gallery and the installation of the Hartford Steam Boiler art collection, Old Lyme’s Florence Griswold Museum has successfully evolved from a respected local house museum to one of New England’s premier tourist destinations. "To date, attendance is up 75% since the opening of the art gallery, with visitors from 49 states and 23 foreign countries," sites Jeffrey Andersen, Director of the Museum.

This past spring, the Florence Griswold Museum was honored with the Golden Pineapple award for Excellence in Tourism Image. The Museum received the award at the annual meeting of Mystic Coast & Country Travel Industry Association. Chris Jennings, President of Mystic Coast & Country, stated that "the Museum’s success also helps area businesses."

Indeed, local business leaders carefully watching the tightening of wallets in a weak economy saw the Museum’s new stature as a boon. "From the minute the gallery opened my lunch business went up 50%," notes Keith Green, owner of the Old Lyme Inn. Visitors to the Museum have already added $8.6 million to the State’s economy since the opening of the new building. In the past, visitors might stop at the Museum on their way to Boston or as a part of a trip to the Mystic Seaport or Mystic Aquarium. Today, many travelers make a special trip to Old Lyme specifically to see the Museum and to dine, shop, or stay at the town’s fine inns. "As the Florence Griswold Museum continues to attract large numbers of visitors, local businesses find their traffic increasing," notes Cathy Petrillo of the Old Lyme Economic Development Committee. "What was once a wonderful community resource is now an integral part of the region’s economy."

The Florence Griswold Museum has long been a respected institution in eastern Connecticut. Scholars, students, art enthusiasts, and community members valued its place in American art history. A modest number of visitors toured the Griswold House to hear the story of the famous artists who stayed with "Miss Florence" over a century ago. Over the past several years, however, the Museum began expanding its facilities and grounds, restoring gardens, and developing innovative programming in an effort to attract a wider audience.

The State of Connecticut played a key leadership role early in this cultural expansion project. In 1997, the State awarded a $2.05 million grant to help the Museum acquire five acres of riverfront property, formerly owned by Florence Griswold, that was one of the most significant painting grounds of the American Impressionists. An economic impact study by the Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis at UConn concluded that for every dollar of state funds applied to this expansion project, $8.92 would be generated back into the state’s economy. Using the state’s grant as leverage, the Museum embarked on a capital campaign that, as of June 2003, has raised over $14 million in funds for property acquisition, construction, and endowment. In a highly successful public-private partnership, funds have been secured from over 374 corporations, foundations, government agencies, and individuals. The Museum is currently in the final $2 million phase of the campaign, which focuses principally on the restoration of the National Historic Landmark Florence Griswold House. Utilizing only Connecticut-based architects, contractors, and specialty trades, the Florence Griswold Museum has made over $8 million in capital investments in the State since 1999.

The Florence Griswold Museum drew significant attention in the art world and in Connecticut’s business community when it was given the corporate collection of The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company. Donated to the Museum in 2001, it is considered one of the finest collections of American art in New England. Selections from the collections have been featured in a special exhibition at the new Robert and Nancy Krieble Gallery, which opened in July 2002.

The $5.8 million Krieble Gallery, which is named for a prominent Hartford family who founded the Loctite Corporation, provides much needed art storage facilities and three skylit galleries for changing exhibitions. Centerbrook Architects’ decidedly contemporary design combines such traditional New England forms as tobacco barns and octagonal silos with a striking curvilinear metal canopy to mark the Museum’s new era. With a list of special exhibitions and exciting events and programs, the Museum will continue to attract visitors to the area. And local businesses will be watching. "The Florence Griswold Museum is our ‘goose that laid the golden egg,’" says Keith Green, owner of the Old Lyme Inn. "We are proud and grateful to have it as the cornerstone of our business community."
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