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Sensory Friendly Saturdays

Coming to the Springfield Museums!

By Sarah Reilly - Publisher Macaroni Kid Springfield June 10, 2021

The Springfield Museums present Sensory Friendly Saturdays, the second Saturday of each month, 9 am to 11 am. The first event will be June 12. 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 Museum; Springfield 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.

“Our visitors are the force that keep our Museums alive,” said Kay Simpson, CEO and President of the Springfield Museums. “Their interest, their curiosity, their excitement enliven our collections and keep our staff striving to do more to meet their needs.” The Museums’ mission is to inspire curiosity and creativity for all who visit, Simpson said. The Springfield Museums, she added, are committed to moving forward with relevance into the future, engaging new and trusted audiences with exhibits, programs, and collections that inspire curiosity, creativity, and caring. “And we want to do that in a way that all who visit feel truly welcome.”

To get your tickets visit:

 https://springfieldmuseums.org/tickets/


Springfieldmuseums.org, One Admission/Five Museums,

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

Parking is always FREE


Hours

Tuesday-Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm    Sunday: 11 am to 5 pm

 New Protocols include

  • Visitors are encouraged to wear a mask on Museums grounds.
  • Masks will be required for visitors age 5 and up in the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the Seymour Planetarium, the Wild Kratts special exhibit, and all facilitated spaces, including Spark!Lab, Art Discovery Center, Science Workshop, and Science Discovery Lab.
  • Students enrolled in youth classes at the Museum School are also required to wear a mask.
  • Advance tickets are strongly encouraged. Please visit the Tickets page.

The Museum Store

Museum Store will allow 10 visitors at a time. Visitors can also reserve time to shop. Please call ahead for reservations 1-413-263-6800, ext 362.


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