30 | Lexington’s Colonial Times Magazine JULY | AUGUST 2009 LeavingLexington

1859 as the Springfield Ethnological Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum and Natural History Museum, contains a of Fine Arts, which is celebrating its variety of exhibits exploring diverse areas 75th anniversary this year. In honor of of science and anthropology. In addition that milestone, the museum’s current to the 20-foot tall model of Tyrannosaurus exhibit Traditions of Excellence (through Rex and a life-size replica of a Stegosau- February 21st, 2010) has devoted several rus skeleton made from a cast of an actual galleries to showcasing its very impres- skeleton at the American Museum of sive collection, which contains works Natural History in New York, the museum by such artists as Jacob van Ruisdael, showcases preserved animals including considered by many historians to be the a huge African elephant, a giraffe, two finest landscape painter of the Northern lions, an ostrich, a rhinoceros and others Renaissance; American masters including in the R. E. Phelon African Hall, live Copley and Stuart; Impressionists Degas, specimens such as fish, insects, reptiles and amphibians in the Solutia Live Ani- mal Center, space rocks in the Astronomy Hall and dioramas of New England Indians in the Native American Hall, as well as the always fascinating Fulcrum Pendulum. The museum strives to make science approachable. The current exhibit, Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body (through September 6th, 2009), based on a popular series of books by science teacher Sylvia Branzei, will especially interest children who are curious about the “stinky, slimy, noisy functions of their bodies.” Another exhibit sure to capture the imagination of children (as well as adults) can be found next door at The Connecti- cut Valley Historical Museum. Seuss on the Loose in Springfield explores the author’s connection with the city in pho- tos and memorabilia, from the Kalmbach & Geisel Brewery, the business founded by Dr. Seuss’ grandfather in 1876 and the ABOVE: From Seuss on the Loose: Seuss Bakery, where his mother worked, to other items and images from the area. By Barbara Rizza Mellin Cates, reside on the grassy courtyard in The photos of local sites reveal that the From Dinosaurs to Dr. Seuss, from front of a complex of museums, known eclectic architecture of Springfield gave courtly art to basketball courts—when it collectively at the Springfield Museums at Dr. Seuss much to draw upon for his comes to museums, Springfield, Mas- the Quadrangle. fantasy illustrations. For example, across sachusetts (about an hour and a half from Each of the four museums offers from his grandfather’s brewery was the Lexington) literally does have something exhibitions that will fascinate adults Howard Street Amory, which resembled a for everyone. Theodore Seuss Geisel, and engage children. There is a science castle similar to some found in his books, know as Dr. Seuss, was born in Spring- museum with a life-size model of Tyran- while the four black chimneys of the field in 1904, and to honor that fact, the nosaurus Rex and the oldest operating Gasworks plant look strangely like those Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture planetarium in the country, the museum of in The Lorax. Garden has been created containing large the History of the Connecticut River Val- The current temporary exhibit at the bronze sculptures of some of his most ley with a toy soldier exhibit, a Fine Art Historical Museum features thousands of popular creations. There’s the 14-foot Museum with a world-class collection and toy soldiers in 20 dioramas—the largest tall elephant, Horton (who hears a Who), an Asian Art Museum containing one of museum display in New England. Toy Thing One and Thing Two, and other the largest collection of Chinese cloisonné Soldiers: History in Miniature (through lovable figures— even a sculpture of Dr. outside of China. Beyond the quadrangle, August 30th, 2009), with model soldiers Seuss himself, sitting at his drawing table, Springfield also hosts the Basketball from the Connecticut Valley Miniature with standing behind Hall of Fame (remember Basketball was Figure Collectors Club, illustrates battle him. A large open book with an empty invented in Springfield, Massachusetts by ABOVE: throughout history from ancient Egypt to from Seuss on the Loose: chair in front allows you to sit for a photo James Naismith). WWII. Top, Horton the elephant and become part of the magical Seuss Directly across the Sculpture Garden Bottom, Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss with the Cat in world. The sculptures, created by Dr. the Hat opposite the Science Museum is the Seuss’ stepdaughter, Lark Grey Dimond- The Science Museum, founded in JULY | AUGUST 2009 Lexington’s Colonial Times Magazine | 31 Something Special in Springfield

LEFT: Life-size model of Tyran- nosaurus Rex Dinosaur Hall Springfield Science Museum

RIGHT: “Preparing for Market” Nathaniel Currier Hand-colored lithograph, 1856 Gift of Lenore B. and Sid- ney A. Alpert, supplement- ed by Museum Collections Funds Michele & Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts

FAR RIGHT: Cloisonne Champion Vase are several restaurants on site.) The Each of the Springfield muse- Chinese, late-18th-century Class of 2009— David Robinson, Jerry ums if a worthy destination in its own Designed as a double vessel Sloan, John Stockton, C. Vivian Stringer, right. However, in this case, the whole in the shape of a quiver. On the front, a falcon with and superstar Michael Jordan—will is certainly greater than the sum of its spread wings subdues a be enshrined here during festivities in parts. Having all of these great museums monster, and on the back Springfield, September 10-12, 2009. A available in one city makes Springfield a a dragon unifies the two related exhibit, Michael Jordan: The perfect summer daytrip. cylinders. Experience opens on August first. George Walter Vincent ent. Along with Greek busts and Egyptian artifacts, the Ancient Treasures exhibit is currently displaying a burial If you go... suit of linked-jade pieces Springfield Museums and General Admission seen for the first time in over Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden (one admission for all four 2200 years. “KidQuest” labels museums) help to engage children in the 21 Edwards Street Adult – $10 museum experience. The over Springfield, MA 01103 Seniors – $7 500 items in the Arms and 413-263-6800 or 800-625-7738 Renoir and Monet; and such modern College Students with ID – $7 Armor exhibit include six full Daimyo www.springfieldmuseums.org masters as Picasso and Chihuly. Art Children 3-17 – $5 (Samurai) armor suits and an ornate www.catinthehat.org from the Springfield collection is prized Children 2 and Under – Free Shinto wheel shrine. Although he never Free parking is available in the around the world and has been loaned Seymour Planetarium Shows visited China, Mr. Smith amassed 150 lots on Edwards Street. to many museums for their exhibitions. Adults-$3 A large map pinpoints the places where examples of Chinese cloisonné, includ- HOURS Children- $2 objects from the museum’s collection ing works from the Ming (1368-1644) Springfield Science Museum, Naismith Memorial have been shown. The museum also and the Ching (1644-1912) dynasties. Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm Basketball Hall of Fame houses the country’s only permanent col- These beautiful enameled pieces, with Sunday: 11am – 5pm 1000 West Columbus Avenue lection of Currier and Ives prints. Feath- their intricate traceries of wire filled D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, Massachusetts 01105 ers and Fur: Animal Companions in Cur- with colorful enamel are a definite “must Daily: 11am – 4pm 413-781-6500 or 877-4HOOPLA rier & Ives Prints is the current exhibit, see.” At one time, many museums dis- GWV Smith Art Museum, www.hoophall.com running through September 2010. played casts of famous sculptures taken from molds of the originals. The Smith Daily: 11am – 4pm Admission Prices: The last of the four museums at the museum is one of only a few that contin- Adults - $16.99 Quadrangle, the George Walter Vincent ues the practice. Here, you can see such Connecticut Valley Historical Seniors (Age 65 & Up) - $13.99 Smith Art Museum, is my personal classics as Venus of Melos, Laocoön, and Museum Youth (Ages 5 - 15) - $11.99 favorite and a true treasure chest of Michelangelo’s David. Daily: 11am – 4pm Children (Age 4 & Under) - FREE art. This hidden gem offers permanent Museum Store One admissions ticket allows exhibits of ancient art from Egypt, China, Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm Hours through August 23 you access to all four museums at the Greece and Rome; Japanese Arms & Sunday: 11am – 5pm Sunday - Thursday, 10AM-5PM quadrangle, plus the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Armor; Chinese Cloisonné; and sculpture Friday & Saturday, 10AM - 7PM Garden. (A new museum, The Museum casts of some of the worlds most-famous Dr. Seuss National Memorial (The Hall of Fame hosts many special of Springfield History, opens October 10, statues. The museum is based around the Sculpture Garden events, which can close parts of the 2009.) If you have any time or energy personal collection of Mr. Smith, who, Daily: 9am-5pm Museum.) in the tradition of Victorians-era gentle- left, you may also want to visit the men of his time, was fascinated with Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of discovering new worlds, past and pres- Fame on West Columbus Avenue. (There