PLEASE NOTE: Some of these exhibits may be temporary and no longer on display. Please visit this page for the most up to date information on current exhibitions.
***CHECK OUT HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS AT SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS***
The Quadrangle is the common name for a cluster of museums and cultural institutions located in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, in the center of the Quadrangle, is surrounded by a park, a library, museums, and a cathedral.
The five world-class museums that make up the Quadrangle include the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, and The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, all under single admission. The museums are all within walking distance of each other and are open Monday–Saturday: 10 am–5 pm and Sunday: 11 am–5 pm.
Springfield is short ride via I-91 North from Hartford, Connecticut. Free parking is available in the museum lots on Edwards Street, as well on State Street across from the City Library (see directions and parking). Head to the admission desk in the Welcome Center located in the front of the Science Museum. Once visitors pay, they will be given a wristband that allows free movement between all the museums.
‘Grandpa Jazz’ (who grew up at 91 Cass Street in Springfield), was in town visiting so we decided to start in the Museum of Fine arts to view the Jeweled Objects of Desire that were on loan from the National Museum of Natural History. While one can visit all the museums in one day, we did not get to the Art or Sciences Museums.
Dr. Seuss Museum
On the day we visited, there were big smiles as we headed for Dr. Seuss. The main floor of the Dr. Seuss museum offers a unique ‘Seussian’ version of Springfield. Visitors can explore interactive sculptures, exhibits, and a mix of original and reproduced artwork from Dr. Seuss. This immersive experience allows guests to step into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss and gain a deeper understanding of his creative genius.
(Some fun “then and now” photos from when my now teen was a tot.)
The upper level of the museum houses original oil paintings and a recreation of Geisel’s La Jolla studio, complete with his drawing board and other original items. Visitors can also view family and fan correspondence, providing a more personal glimpse into the life of Dr. Seuss.
Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History highlight Springfield’s development as a manufacturing center, the city’s role in transportation history, the many inventions and “firsts” that were generated here, and the stories of Springfield’s diverse populations. One exhibit, “John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, and the Civil War” highlights Springfield’s role in the life of John Brown and the importance of the Springfield Armory during the Civil War era.
Indian Motorcycles, founded in 1901 in Springfield, stand as one of the oldest and most iconic motorcycle brands in the nation, renowned for innovation, durability, and influence on motorcycling culture.
Although exhibits at the Museum of Springfield History change over time, during our visit we had the opportunity to experience several incredible exhibitions.
Ted Geisel’s Cadillac
If you have ever wondered what kind of automobile Dr. Seuss drove when he wasn’t busy in his studio creating such characters as the Cat in the Hat and the Grinch, don’t let your puzzler get sore! This 1985 Cadillac Seville, with its bobbed tail “bustleback” treatment, was the last automobile owned by the famed children’s book author Theodor Geisel.
Ted and his wife, Audrey Geisel, patiently waited years to obtain the GRINCH license plate after a devoted Seuss fan with four children had already secured the set. When the family moved out of state, they released the tags to the Geisels, with a note of apology for “having hogged it so long.”
The Witches of Springfield
Discover a time when accused witches walked among us. Forty years before the infamous trials in Salem, fear gripped the small settlement of Springfield, Massachusetts. Neighbors whispered about Mary and Hugh Parsons as rumors simmered for years, exploding into hysteria that eventually consumed the town. Witch Panic! dives into the daily lives of the Parsons, examining the circumstances that led to their 1651 accusation and arrest for witchcraft. Review the evidence of the Parsons’ witchcraft as a member of the jury and determine their innocence or guilt.
The exhibition also features objects from the Museums’ permanent collection, including one of the last remaining copies of Springfield founder William Pynchon’s The Meritorious Price of Our Redemption, one of the first books to be banned in English North America. The Museums’ copy the has the distinction of being owned by Cotton Mather, the Puritan clergyman who influenced and recorded the witch trials in Salem (1692-1693).
Friendly’s
The museum has the original Friendly’s sign, built by Prestley Blake for $16 and the original counter from when the restaurant opened at 161 Boston Road on July 8, 1935. It’s the Friendly’s waitress blue-and-white checkered pattern uniform that stands out to visitors young and old.
No trip to Springfield, Massachusetts, is complete without a stop at Red Rose Pizzeria. Founded in 1963, it’s home to the best pizza in the Commonwealth!
Quadrangle (Springfield Museums)
21 Edwards St, Springfield, MA 01103
Website: https://springfieldmuseums.org/
Instagram: @springfieldmuseums
Hours:
Please visit this page for the most current information.
Pricing:
Please visit this page for the most current information. Check out FREE First Wednesdays!
Details:
Parking: Yes
Stroller-friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Food for Sale: Yes. Blake House Cafe
Birthday Parties: Yes
Cash Required: No
Outside Food and Drink: No. Please see the Visitor Tips & Policies
Dress Code: No. Come as you are casual.
Age recommendation: All Ages
Purchase Tickets Online: Yes, visit this page.
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