Springfield Museums is a Great Value, Here’s Why
Discover the Springfield Museums complex, home to five unique museums. Explore art, history, and science all in one captivating destination.
One of my favorite things to do while traveling, or even just on a day trip, is to spend a day at a museum. Museums serve as gateways to the past, allowing visitors to connect with local traditions and stories that shape a place's identity. Exploring exhibits can spark curiosity and inspire meaningful conversations, making trips more enriching. The Springfield Museums illustrate this concept by exploring the art, science, innovation, and individuals who have shaped the city. Situated in the heart of New England, Springfield, Massachusetts, is a city rich in history and cultural significance. Established in the early 17th century, Springfield is known for its pivotal role in the development of various industries, particularly during the Industrial Revolution. It is often referred to as the "City of Firsts" because of its various innovations, including the first American basketball game, which was played at the Springfield College in 1891. Springfield was the birthplace of various companies, such as Webster's Dictionary, Indian Motorcycles, and the Milton Bradley board game company. This guide will explore the Springfield Museums complex, which features art, history, and science exhibits - all in one spot!
Five Museums in One Stop at the Springfield Museums
At the end of this experience, find out how you can enter and explore the Springfield Museums for FREE!
When you purchase a ticket to this museum, you actually gain access to FIVE museums, all conveniently located within walking distance, and all are distinct buildings within the property. You will be given and must wear a wristband, and all you need to do is wave your wristband as you enter each building. It's truly remarkable how there is something for everyone here. You can start or finish wherever you choose. Most of the patrons of the museum start with the Springfield Science Museum, as that is adjacent to the entrance. However, you are given a map upon entry, and that will help guide you to where you want to start. You can choose your own adventure! For the purposes of this experience, I will list out the museum from stop to stop based on my experience.
Explore The Springfield Science Museum
As you walk in to the main building to be admitted to the museum, you will turn towards a set of stairs where you will proceed into the Springfield Science Museum.
Proceed to the second floor, and you will find a very family friendly and kid friendly area. Exhibits in this area generally focus on the solar system, you can also “touch the Moon” and see rocks from outer space on display. There’s also numerous rocks and minerals on display in various cases. They have a “discovery lab”, which is great for kids and families. Finally, the Tectonic Corner focuses on earthquakes, of which I am personally very fascinated with.
Make your way through the Upper African Hall, where a variety of artifacts are showcased in display cases. During my visit, the cases lacked lighting, making it difficult to see much inside. Additionally, you’ll encounter animals that are native to Africa. Although they are all taxidermied, it’s still intriguing to observe them up close (though nothing compares to seeing the real thing!)
Continue down to the lower level and you’ll see Native Hall, and at the time of my visit, the science museum is evolving its display of Native Americans. I always found their presentation to be a bit tacky, so I’m glad to see that they are consulting with Native Americans and working to reinterpret the look and feel of the displays.
Adjacent to the Native Hall, you’ll see Mammal Hall and Habitat Hall, with numerous taxidermic animals on display including deer, moose, muskrats, skunks, foxes, penguins and bison. Now just imagine if they came back to life!
Finally, you will end at the Dinosaur Hall. It’s always fascinating to see how big these creatures were. How can you go wrong with a massive T-Rex?!
Walk Through the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
After exiting the Science Museum and moving outside, you enter the the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. This is a beautiful pathway adorned with bronze sculptures that pay tribute to the beloved characters created by Dr. Seuss. It serves as a serene and tranquil walkway, acting as a central promenade that links various museums together. The centerpiece is the sculpture garden of various Dr Seuss characters. The gorgeous sculptures are the creation of Dr. Seuss’s stepdaughter and are on site in the center of the walkway. It’s also a great place to sit and take a break when you need to.
See Sculptures and Statues at The George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum
Next to the Science Museum, you'll find the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum. This museum is housed in a beautiful old mansion and has a fascinating Japanese Arms and Armor gallery on the ground level. As you enter the building, you'll notice a grand staircase to your right. You can either take those stairs or use the elevator to reach the top level, which showcases a wide variety of paintings and sculptures. On one end of the top floor, there is a lovely American Paintings Salon.
While the lower level is a pleasant area to explore, the top level offers a particularly serene atmosphere. There's even a central bench in the gallery where visitors can sit and appreciate the artwork in peace. After being on my feet for a while, it was a wonderful spot to take a break, relax, and take in the view of the paintings that surround you.
See the Collections at The Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts
This art museum features numerous galleries with some permanent and temporary galleries. Some galleries, especially the most of the special exhibitions, do not allow for photography, so keep that in mind.
When you walk in, you will see the grand “Blake Court” with its giant arch. This gallery displays numerous 19th century American art paintings.
On the first level, you’ll see mostly American art and special exhibitions. You’ll see the typical mainstays of art museums, with sculptures, paintings, and elaborate pieces - such as the very intriguing “Hunter’s Cabin Door”, which resembles a door but is actually just a canvas painting surrounded by a wood border.
On the second level, you will see Late Medieval, Dutch, French, Italian and Italian Renaissance art galleries.
The lower galleries feature a blend of modern and contemporary art, as well as 20th century art.
One aspect I noticed through touring these galleries is that a good portion of the art displayed is created by artists based in Western Massachusetts and surrounding areas.
Explore The Amazing World of Dr Seuss
Did you know that Dr Seuss himself was born and raised in Springfield, MA? The centerpiece of this collection of museums is The Amazing World of Dr Seuss. I found the top floor especially intriguing, as it featured various galleries that celebrated the life of Theodor Seuss Geisel, who is more commonly known as Dr. Seuss. One room even explored his family history, showcasing a family tree that highlighted the significant challenges his family encountered. I was surprised to discover that he was the middle child and outlived both his younger and older sisters. Unfortunately, I wasn’t allowed to take any photos in this gallery, but it was truly impressive to see how his early life experiences influenced him.
There's a cozy little gallery where you can check out his baby book that's been handed down through the years. Finally, his office and easel are kept safe forever in the main hallway. Even if this isn't his actual childhood home, it really feels like you're walking through the place where he was raised. The museum has done a fantastic job of making you feel like you've been transported back in time without you even realizing it. You'll also find a bunch of letters he wrote and received, along with many family photos. The lower level is more focused on children, as you step into the enchanting world of his stories coming to life.
Experience History at The Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History
Springfield stands out as one of the more distinctive cities in the Northeastern United States, thanks to the impressive array of inventions and innovations that originated here. The city’s history goes back to the late 18th century when it served as a stop for steamboats navigating the Connecticut River. These steamboats facilitated the movement of goods and passengers and paved the way for other transportation methods that would later be established in Springfield, such as the railroad, trolley, public buses, and cars. Many car manufacturers thrived in Springfield, although none are still in business today.
As you walk through the first floor, you’ll see the “Made in the Valley” exhibit. What do Milton Bradley board games, Merriam-Webster dictionaries, “the Breck Girl”, and Westinghouse Appliances share in common (among other things)? They were all produced in or near Springfield, Massachusetts. The Industrial Revolution played a key role in transforming Springfield into a manufacturing hub, and many products you might recognize were created here. Everything from violins to handcuffs! Lastly, you’ll discover how one of the local car companies, the Knox Company, contributed to Springfield becoming the first major city in America to have motorized fire equipment back in 1906. We’ve really come a long way since those days!
The second floor showcases a variety of industries and prominent brands that have made their mark in Springfield. Notable names include Indian Motorcycles, celebrated for their classic bikes, Smith and Wesson, a top manufacturer of firearms, Friendly’s Restaurants, known for their ice cream and family-friendly dining, and Big Y Supermarkets, a well-liked grocery chain. Furthermore, visitors will discover that Springfield is the birthplace of basketball, a sport that has evolved into a worldwide sensation, enhancing the city’s cultural and historical importance.
Why You Should Visit the Springfield Museums
PRO TIP: Springfield Museums is FREE to visit if you’re a NARM Member. Find out more about this great program!
You might find one or two of these museums interesting, or maybe you want to check out all five. Either way, this museum really has something for everyone. Families will have a blast at the Dr. Seuss and Science Museum. Adults will appreciate the arts and history museums. But really, there’s something for everyone to connect with at all five of these spots. Each museum at the Springfield Museums is special because it highlights the many innovations and people who made Springfield their home - from local artists creating amazing paintings and sculptures, to the children’s book author who’s still around, to the products that were invented and made here that have transformed into other things and are still used today. And the best part? All these museums are within walking distance, so you can spend a whole day or just an hour or two here - it’s all up to you.
The Springfield Museums is located on 21 Edwards St, Springfield, MA. Check the website for hours, admission, parking and transportation options.
