Overview
Knights of Columbus Museum New Haven, CT
Established in 1982, the Knights of Columbus Museum, Inc. is a nonprofit institution serving the educational interests of the general public through periodic exhibitions of artwork and related content.
Located in New Haven, Conn., where the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882, it also serves as an archive, repository, and gallery for documents and artifacts pertaining to the Catholic fraternal organization’s foundation, history and activities.
The Museum features world-class exhibitions of artwork and history, particularly those representing the heritage of Catholicism.
See more Catholic Shrines and pilgrimages in North America.
See top 15 Catholic shrines around the world
It also maintains a permanent gallery of the K of C’s annals, as well as one dedicated to its founder (and sainthood candidate), Father Michael J. McGivney (1852-1890). Its permanent collections of Christopher Columbus and papal memorabilia are also on regular exhibition.
Renowned for its annual Christmas exhibitions, the Knights of Columbus Museum provides a spacious, contemporary and family-friendly facility. It is fully accessible, open year-round, and offers free admission and onsite parking.
St. Peter’s Basilica Cross
The massive lobby forms an impressive entryway.
Here, the two-story atrium becomes the setting for one of the museum’s most impressive features, the 1613 cross from the statue of Christ the Redeemer from atop St. Peter’s Basilica.
A 400-year-old cross from St. Peter’s Basilica dominates the space. It was a gift to the Knights from Pope John Paul II in appreciation for the Order’s restoration of the basilica’s façade.
Because of its fragile condition, the cross was not reinstalled as part of the Christ the Redeemer statue on top of St. Peter’s.
Permanent Collection
Father Michael J. McGivney Gallery and Reliquary
Father McGivney, who founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882, is being considered for sainthood by the Vatican.
The McGivney Gallery profiles his life and the reliquary contains second-class relics obtained during the exhumation of his remains in 1981.
The centerpiece of this gallery is a life-sized statue of Father McGivney by renowned sculptor Stanley Bleifeld.
The Courtyard
The museum building envelops a beautiful exterior, center courtyard that remains green year round.
In the elevated center court are fountains and cascading waterfalls, crowned by a dramatic Bleifeld statue of “Columbus, the Evangelizer.” In a meditative corner, a bronze plaque memorializes Knights lost while serving in World War II.
The Papal Gallery
Guests feel as though they are transported to Rome, the Eternal City, in this gallery which traces the Order’s interactions with the Vatican since 1882.
The Papal Gallery includes artwork, artifacts, archival material, papal medals, photographs and films, some dating back to 1896.
Christopher Columbus Galllery
Learn the reasons for the name Knights of Columbus and the patronage of the Catholic explorer by the Knights.
Significant artifacts in this gallery include the glazed ceramic tiles brought by the admiral on his second voyage in 1493 and used in construction and decoration of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Other pieces in this gallery depict many of the various celebrations and observances associated with Columbus through the years, including the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and the 1992 Christopher Columbus Quincentennial.
The Wall of History
The Knights of Columbus Wall of History runs for 170-feet, as it relates the mission and works of the Order at its founding through the present.
A visual timeline, the Wall of History uses artifacts, objects, photographs and striking graphics to document the organizations major
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Special Offer
St. Peter’s Basilica Cross
The massive lobby forms an impressive entryway.
Here, the two-story atrium becomes the setting for one of the museum’s most impressive features, the 1613 cross from the statue of Christ the Redeemer from atop St. Peter’s Basilica.
A 400-year-old cross from St. Peter’s Basilica dominates the space. It was a gift to the Knights from Pope John Paul II in appreciation for the Order’s restoration of the basilica’s façade.
Because of its fragile condition, the cross was not reinstalled as part of the Christ the Redeemer statue on top of St. Peter’s.
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
Video
Permanent Collection
Lobby and St. Peter’s Basilica Cross
The massive main lobby welcomes visitors as they begin a dramatic journey through the
A statue by acclaimed sculptor Antonio Castellanos Basich depicts Cristeros martyred for their faith in Mexico during the 1920s.
The two-story atrium beckons guests to explore temporary exhibits in the upper lobby.
Above the staircase hangs an ancient cross that was atop St. Peter’s Basilica for nearly 400 years.
Father Michael J. McGivney Gallery and Reliquary
Father McGivney, who founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882, is being considered for sainthood by the Vatican. The McGivney Gallery profiles his life and the reliquary contains second-class relics obtained during the exhumation of his remains in 1981.
The centerpiece of this gallery is a life-sized statue of Father McGivney by renowned sculptor Stanley Bleifeld.
The Courtyard
The museum building envelops a beautiful exterior, center courtyard that remains green year round. In the elevated center court are fountains and cascading waterfalls, crowned by a dramatic Bleifeld statue of “Columbus, the Evangelizer.” In a meditative corner, a bronze plaque memorializes Knights lost while serving in World War II.
The Papal Gallery
Guests feel as though they are transported to Rome, the Eternal City, in this gallery which traces the Order’s interactions with the Vatican since 1882. The Papal Gallery includes artwork, artifacts, archival material, papal medals, photographs and films, some dating back to 1896.
Christopher Columbus Galllery
Learn the reasons for the name Knights of Columbus and the patronage of the Catholic explorer by the Knights.
Significant artifacts in this gallery include the glazed ceramic tiles brought by the admiral on his second voyage in 1493 and used in construction and decoration of the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Other pieces in this gallery depict many of the various celebrations and observances associated with Columbus through the years, including the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and the 1992 Christopher Columbus Quincentennial.
The Wall of History
The Knights of Columbus Wall of History runs for 170-feet, as it relates the mission and works of the Order at its founding through the present. A visual timeline, the Wall of History uses artifacts, objects, photographs and striking graphics to document the organizations major
Let us remain close in the same prayer! May the Lord bless you abundantly!
By car
From Hartford and Points North
Take Interstate 91 South to Exit 1 for downtown New Haven and Route 34. Merge right and take the first exit onto South Orange Street. At the traffic light, turn right onto George Street. Turn right onto State Street at the next traffic light and merge to the left lane. The museum garage entrance is on the left at the end of the building (immediately before the next intersection).
From New York and Points West
Take Interstate 95 North to Exit 47 for Route 34 and downtown New Haven. Merge right and take the first exit onto South Orange Street. At the traffic light, turn right onto George Street. Turn right onto State Street at the next traffic light and merge to the left lane. The museum garage entrance is on the left at the end of the building (immediately before the next intersection).
From Rhode Island and Points East
Take Interstate 95 South to Exit 47 for Route 34 and downtown New Haven. Merge right and take the first exit onto South Orange Street. At the traffic light, turn right onto George Street. Turn right onto State Street at the next traffic light and merge to the left lane. The museum garage entrance is on the left at the end of the building (immediately before the next intersection).