SPRINGFIELD — Families can turn up the heat on summer fun while staying cool in air-conditioned halls at the Springfield Museums.
Now open seven days a week through Aug. 15, the museums are offering a slate of activities including hands-on exhibitions, live entertainment on the Quadrangle Green, and music inspired by cultures from around the globe.
Most summer activities are included with Museum admission, and that cost is waived for Springfield residents with proof of residence.
“I am hoping that visitors and their families leave the museums this summer thinking ‘I’ve learned something new,’” said Abby Garner, Family Engagement Coordinator for the Springfield Museums, in an interview with The Republican. “Whether that is from the planetarium, one of our musical performances, the additional activities we are offering, or from one of our visiting exhibits.”
Some of the Museums’ summer activities are returning favorites, like the return of Giant Bubbles with Mr. Vinny, a show on the Quadrangle each Friday afternoon that encourages children to watch, chase and pop bubbles. The Toe Jam Puppet Band, a children’s entertainment troupe that combines music, puppetry and storytelling, also returns.
Other activities, like hands-on experiences in the Cat’s Corner, Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center and Spark!Lab, were curated by the Museum’s education staff for this year’s summer programming.
In the Cat’s Corner, located inside of The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, guests can read some of Ted Geisel’s stories and take part in facilitated art activities. In the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center, located inside of the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, guests can participate in activities that range from arts and crafts to dress-up and puppet play. In the Spark!Lab, located inside of the Springfield Science Museum, make projects inspired by inventions and innovations in American history, or invent something totally new.
“Activities can change from week to week in our drop-in spaces, so there are new experiences often for visitors looking to visit more than once this summer,” Garner said.
A focus on music
The summer schedule also offered the opportunity for more live music at the Museums.
“We’ve had musical performances on and off throughout the years, and they’re always really special events, especially when the weather’s nice and we can have them out on our Quadrangle Green and kids can dance and sing and play,” said Larissa Murray, Director of Education for the Springfield Museums. “But we wanted to make it more of a featured event, something that you could plan for as opposed to it just happening now and again.”
Wednesdays are a strong turn-out day for the Museums, Murray explained, making it the perfect opportunity to test out a new music program.
As a result, the Springfield Museums are offering a “Music on Wednesdays” program this summer, with a different group or performer scheduled each week. The live music begins on July 9 with the Community Music School of Springfield performing Bomba y Plena music from Puerto Rico and West African-inspired drumming and dance.
“Kids can be exposed to styles of music that are perhaps outside of their knowledge, whether it’s African drumming, brass bands, or Latin jazz,” Garner said.
Other bands on the line-up include the GOZA Latin Band on July 16, the Community Music School on July 23, the Expandable Brass Band on July 30, The Airborne Comedians on Aug. 6 and Fiesta del Norte Mariachi on Aug. 13.
Admission to the concerts, offered from noon to 2 p.m. each Wednesday, is included with Museum tickets.
Opportunities to ‘Tinker’ on Thursdays
New to the Springfield Museums’ summer programming this year is Tinker Thursdays, an hourlong workshop offered weekly in the Museum School. Topics vary each week, but each has a connection to science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
“Our team wanted to offer new ways to experience the Springfield Museums for our young visitors and invite them into the Museum School spaces, including our art studios,” said Emma Lewis, Museum School and Lecture Coordinator.
Each Tinker Thursday workshop is led by Museum School staff and is open for ages 7 to 14.
Just some of the Tinker Thursday events on offer include “Doctor for a Day” on July 17, in which young guests are invited to don lab coats and use real stethoscopes as they learn about the heart and how to take a pulse; and “Plush Stuff” on July 24, where young seamsters can create their own decorative pillow and learn how to use a sewing machine.
No matter what the topic is, no experience is required.
“We hope kids will walk away with a new perspective on the Springfield Mu-seums and the different ways you can learn, as well as a cool completed project and confidence in their new skills,” Lewis said.
Tinker Thursday workshops are $10 and $8 for members in addition to museum admission, and tickets to workshops can be purchased on the Museums’ website or in-person on the day of the event.
The Springfield Museums are open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at a base price of $25 for adults, $13 for ages 3 to 17, $16.50 for seniors 60 and older and students with ID, and free for children 3 and under. Reduced ticket prices are available for Museum members, and Springfield residents are always admitted free.
Tickets include admission to the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D’Amour Musuem of Fine Arts, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum.
For more information about visiting the Museums, call 413-314-6436 or email welcomecenter@springfieldmuseums.org.
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