The Wadsworth Announces $1 Million Grant from Travelers to Restore Wednesday Hours
Expanded five-day schedule begins March 18
HARTFORD, Conn., March 18, 2026 – The Wadsworth today announced that it will restore its Wednesday hours for the first time since the pandemic, thanks to a $1 million grant from Travelers. The grant, which will span across five years, enables America’s oldest public art museum to expand from four to five days of public access each week.
“We are deeply grateful to Travelers for this transformational gift, allowing us to open our doors to the public one more day every week,” said Allison Blais, President and CEO of The Wadsworth. “An additional day means thousands more opportunities each year for students, families and community members to experience the museum’s renowned collections, exhibitions and programs.”
Like many cultural institutions, The Wadsworth was forced to restrict public hours during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a comprehensive rebrand and a renewed effort to reengage audiences and the local community, The Wadsworth has been steadily rebuilding and expanding programming for audiences to experience art together.
“We’ve been a longtime partner of The Wadsworth, and with our Hartford offices right across the street, we witness firsthand the incredible impact this treasured institution has on our community,” said Lisa B. Walker, President and CEO of the Travelers Foundation and Vice President of Community Relations at Travelers. “We’re thrilled that more people in the Hartford community and beyond will now be able to experience the museum’s world-class art and engaging cultural programs.”
The museum is now open to the public from Wednesday through Sunday. In addition to a year-round schedule of talks, performances, lectures and workshops, The Wadsworth offers free admission the first Thursday and second Saturday of every month.
Blais added, “This gift from Travelers is a powerful vote of confidence in our mission to spark curiosity and stir the creative spirit in our communities. Restoring these hours after several years of limited access is an important moment for the museum and for the community we serve.”
For more information, visit www.thewadsworth.org.
About The Wadsworth
Formerly known as the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, The Wadsworth honors the past and inspires the future through the power of human creativity. Guided by its founding belief that art can uplift society and ignite progress, the Wadsworth inspires reflection, dialogue, and cultural transformation through its outstanding collection, programs, and partnerships.
Visit us at 600 Main Street in Hartford, Conn.
Current hours are noon–5pm Wednesday–Friday and 10am–5pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission: $10–22 Discounts for members, students, youth, and seniors.
Free admission for Hartford residents with Wadsworth Welcome registration.
Contact us:
(860) 278-2670
1842 – ONWARD