Springfield History Museum News

In the digital age it is hard to believe that at one time images of family members were hard to obtain, expensive, and relatively rare. Before the advent of photography around 1850, the only way to capture a likeness was to hire an artist to paint a portrait. A selection of these paintings by artists James Sanford Ellsworth and Joseph Whiting Stock are on view at the Wood Museum of Springfield History through May 6 in the exhibition Wandering Folk Artists: Family Portraits in the Early 19th Century.

Hasbro GameLand, a dynamic new hands-on exhibit for children, will open to the public on November 25 in the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History at the Quadrangle. Made possible by a grant from the Hasbro Children’s Fund, the exhibit pays tribute to Springfield entrepreneur Milton Bradley and explores games of memory, chance, speed, imagination, strategy and word play. Opening day festivities will include family activities and appearances by the costumed characters MR. POTATO HEAD, PRINCESS FROSTINE and ELEFUN from popular Hasbro toys and games.

An exhibit highlighting philanthropists who have left a lasting legacy in Springfield and the Pioneer Valley is on view through November 20 at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History at the Quadrangle.

The influence of Springfield on the world famous children’s book author known as Dr. Seuss is explained in And to Think that He Saw It in Springfield, a new exhibit at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History at the Quadrangle.

In recognition of the 100th anniversary of Women’s History Month in March and the 375th anniversary of the founding of the city of Springfield, the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History will present the exhibition Women’s Work: The Untold Story from March 1 through September 25. The exhibition was developed with the assistance of guest curator Frances Gagnon.