The Grinch’s Grotto: A Wonderful, Awful Idea!
A Uniquely Seussian Way to Celebrate the Season
Grinchmas at the Springfield Museums
Featuring: The Grinch’s Grotto
November 5-December 31, 2020
The Wood Museum of Springfield History
Springfield (MA)—Springfield Museums is excited to announce this year’s Grinchmas Celebration, Holiday Happenings, Lighting of the Quad and the ONLY PLACE IN THE WORLD visitors can experience the Grinch’s Grotto! Opening Saturday, November 5th, the Grinch’s Grotto is located in the SIS Hall of the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History. The Grotto is a cave-like structure with a highly decorated chair for the old curmudgeon himself to greet visitors for selfies and portraits.
“We invite our visitors to bring their cell phones or cameras to take a portrait with the Grinch,” said Clarissa Leverich, the Family Engagement Coordinator for the Museums. “We think a lot of holiday card photos might be taken in November!”
Check the Museums’ online calendar to see when the Grinch himself will be there.
But the Grinch is not the only attraction for the Grinch’s Grotto exhibit! “We have the entire hall filled with Seussian fun,” said Larissa Murray, Director of Education. “There are interactives galore to get everyone in the holiday spirit!”
“What better way to celebrate than with the Dr. Seuss character who reminds us to connect joyfully with each other,” said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “We hope everyone will join us and grow their hearts three sizes just like the Grinch!”
The Grinch’s Grotto is from the creators of The Dr. Seuss Experience, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
The Grinch’s Grotto is the kickoff for Grinchmas at the Museums:
More about Grinchmas at the Springfield Museums
Grinchmas is an annual celebration at the Springfield Museums, where The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden help celebrate Springfield native Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, the author who revolutionized learning how to read by making it fun. This year, during our Seuss-iversary, the Museums have added The Grinch’s Grotto as a must-see, must-experience attraction.
Programs are free with museum admission unless noted.
The Lighting of the Quadrangle 2022
November 25 @ 5:00 pm–7:00 pm
The spectacular architecture and beautifully landscaped grounds of the Quadrangle will sparkle and shimmer against a dazzling outdoor lighting display. This festive holiday celebration features train rides; appearances by Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Grinch; hot cocoa, cider, and cookies; and visits to the Grinch’s Grotto and the gingerbread exhibition Flour to Fables.
Free and open to the public–museum admission not required!
November 25 @ 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Kick-off the season with the Grinch, our Gingerbread exhibit, art activities, and more. Free with museum admission!
Highlights
Meet The Grinch, 11 am-3 pm
Dr. Seuss’s iconic Christmas creation will be here from Whoville to celebrate the holidays. (SIS Hall, First Floor, Wood Museum of Springfield History)
Giant Bubbles with Mr. Vinny, 1-4 pm
Using giant bubble wands he designed and constructed, Mr. Vinny will gather kids for a fun game of watch, chase, and pop the bubbles. (Quadrangle Green, Weather Permitting)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas Cartoon, 3-3:30 pm
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a 1966 Christmas animated musical comedy television special directed by Chuck Jones. Sing along to the story of the Grinch trying to take away Christmas from the townsfolk of Whoville below his mountain hideaway. (Davis Auditorium, Lower Level, D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts)
Ongoing Activities
Flour to Fables: Gingerbread 2022, 10 am-5 pm
Step into a fantastical world of fables where flour, sugar, and spice have been blended and baked to bring classic stories to life. Colorful and sweet displays tell the stories of clever and bold animals as they go on adventures and learn important lessons.
Aesop’s Fables Ornaments, 12—4 pm
Create an ornament inspired by favorite fables presented in special exhibit Flour to Fables: Gingerbread 2022. (Art Discovery Center, Second Floor, GWV Smith Art Museum)
How Do Animals Stay Warm?, 1—4 pm
Learn the science behind how animals keep warm in cold weather. (Science Workshop, Second Floor, Springfield Science Museum)
Live Animal Demonstration, 1—4 pm
Join one of our knowledgeable museum educators at the Reptile Wall in our Live Animal Center to get a closer look and learn more about animals like the painted turtle, box turtle, ball python, and bearded dragon! (Reptile Wall, Lower Level, Springfield Science Museum)
THE GRINCH MOBILE
The Grinch is on view at the Wood Museum of Springfield History beginning October 25. “A little imagination is all it takes to picture Dr. Seuss himself driving this beautiful car,” said Simpson. “We hope many fans will come see this remarkable connection to our hometown hero and visit The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.”
Ted Geisel’s Cadillac will continue to be on view as part of the Museums Grinchmas Celebration through the New Year.
MORE ABOUT SEUSS-IVERSARY
Seuss-iversary recognizes the 5th anniversary of The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the 20th anniversary of the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, and the opening of Ted’s House and Innovation Center (virtual visits only) and decades of Seuss in Springfield.
With Seuss-iversary, the Springfield Museums spotlight the doors reading opens for everyone—and the fun we can have connecting with each other.
Seuss in Springfield is a collaborative effort of the Springfield Museums, The Dr. Seuss Foundation, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. The Dr. Seuss Foundation is a sponsor of Seuss-iversary.
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.
Hours
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm
Advance tickets are strongly encouraged. Please visit the Tickets page.
The Hanmer Museum Store
Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm
The Blake House Café
Open Tuesday-Sunday 11am-3pm.