The Connecticut River Museum in Essex is celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Connecticut River is 410 miles and flows from almost the border of Canada between New Hampshire and Vermont, through Massachusetts and Connecticut, then into the Long Island Sound.

It is a museum that tells the story of the Connecticut River and how it was a big stop for the steamboats going from Hartford to New York.

While the museum is celebrating 50 years, artist Steven Cryan has been bringing joy to generations with his intricate model train layouts for three decades. Cryan a new train layout every year, and families call his annual train show a family tradition.

The train exhibit runs through Feb. 18.