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Autumn Festival Is Fun for Families at the Springfield Museums

SPRINGFIELD, MA—The Springfield Museums is excited to present the Secrets of Autumn: A Harvest Festival, Saturday, October 9, 10 am-5 pm, free with Museums admission.

Discover the art and science behind seasonal traditions through hands-on activities.

FEATURED PROGRAMMING

Wagon around the Quadrangle, 11 am-2 pm
Meet the horses and climb into the wagon for a fun-filled fall ride around the Quadrangle, inspired by the paintings of horses in the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts.

Outdoor Museum Movement Challenge, 11 am-3 pm
Can you jump like a frog?  Or yawn like a yak?  How about waddle like a goose?  Follow the stations around the Museums Grounds to set your body in motion, and then visit the museums to find the objects that inspired this challenge course.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves? 11 am-3 pm
What makes leaves change colors and fall off the trees? How do the trees know it’s time? How does a tree get nutrition and stay alive all winter? Learn the answers to these questions and make a leaf print of your own to take home.

Less Light, Cooler Nights, 11 am-3 pm
At this time of year, the sunlight starts to disappear more and more. Learn about how the angle of the sun affects the light and warmth we feel here in North America, and how it changes with the seasons.

Paint a Mini Pumpkin, 11 am-3 pm
Using droppers, drip and drop paint onto a mini pumpkin creating a beautiful design. When you’re done, visit the special exhibit, Ai Weiwei: Tradition and Dissent. A friendly guide will help you delve deeper into this unique art exhibit.

SECOND SATURDAYS ARE SENSORY FRIENDLY

The Springfield Museums present Sensory Friendly Saturdays, the second Saturday of each month, 9 am to 11 am. Sensory Friendly Saturdays provide less noise, less bright light, and cool-down spaces for those who have sensory sensitivity.

 

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Springfield Science Museum will open early, with some exhibits modified to provide an opportunity for people with a range of differing abilities to experience what the museums have to offer. Trained staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and, if necessary, direct visitors to a quiet space that provides a chance to cool down and take a break. Sensory-friendly crafts for all ages will be available in the Cat’s Corner.

 

Parents and caregivers must stay with their children at all times. The modifications are enabled until 11 am.

Preview guides are available for those who would like to explore what to expect before arriving at the museums: The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss MuseumSpringfield Science Museum.

If visitors find the Museums too overwhelming and need to leave before 10 am, the Welcome Center staff will give the family a voucher to try again on another Sensory Friendly Saturday.

 

Springfieldmuseums.org, One Admission/Five Museums,

including the one and only Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum

Parking is always FREE

 

About The Springfield Museums

 

THE SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS are located on the Quadrangle at 21 Edwards Street in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated consortium of museums includes the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum 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, the first and only museum dedicated to the beloved children’s book author and Springfield native.