Springfield Museums, Exhibits

The Body Adorned: Artistry and Legacy of the Ancient Americas, December 4, 2021–February 27, 2022. Under the Arctic: Digging into Permafrost, January 22, 2022–May 1, 2022.

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The Body Adorned: Artistry and Legacy of the Ancient Americas
December 4, 2021–February 27, 2022

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Bilingual Exhibit

Feather textiles, gold pendants, and greenstone ear rods are among the most exquisite adornments crafted by artists working in the ancient Americas. Designed to be worn both in life and in death, these treasures functioned as status symbols, ritual paraphernalia, and sacred channels to a more sublime realm. Often small in scale and intricately crafted, the adornments featured in this exhibition were created in sophisticated workshops by highly skilled artists. These splendid works of art offer insight into the values, beliefs, and achievements of indigenous peoples.
This exhibition explores the artistic adornment of the ancient American cultures of Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Peru, and Mexico, as well as the influence that metalwork, textiles, and ceramics had on future generations of artists. In addition to including work made between 400 and 1550 CE, the display includes works by 20th century American designer and jewelry maker William Spratling (1900-1967), who spent over three decades in Mexico and was inspired by Mesoamerican art and architecture. The exhibition celebrates the enduring power of these brilliant motifs, and bring together different eras in dialogue.


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Under the Arctic: Digging into Permafrost
January 22, 2022–May 1, 2022 Springfield Science Museum

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Have you ever seen a mammoth tooth up close? What does the Ice Age smell like?
Step into the shoes of climate science researchers, piece together clues, and solve engineering challenges posed by thawing permafrost in Under the Arctic: Digging into Permafrost. This interactive exhibit weaves together real narratives from people whose lives have been impacted by the changing global climate, highlighting the resiliency and ingenuity of everyday communities. Incorporating the sights and smells of the Western Hemisphere’s only permafrost research tunnel, and Ice Age fossils, Under the Arctic is an immersive exhibit experience for all ages.
Under the Arctic: Digging into Permafrost was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. The exhibit was developed in collaboration with the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and made possible by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.


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Explore the George Walter Vincent Smith Museum Archives
Constructed in 1895 to house the extraordinary art collections of Springfield residents George Walter Vincent Smith and Belle Townsely Smith, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum is a late 19th-century Gilded Age treasure with a rich history. In addition to housing art collections, the museum stewards hundreds of photographs and documents that tell the story of Springfield’s first art museum and offer insights into the lives of its benefactors. Digitization of these Archives began in late 2020 and we invite you explore selections from the holdings.

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Explore Now

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BELOW, PLEASE FIND A LIST OF THE SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS NEW PROTOCOLS

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Masks are required indoors for all visitors ages 2 and up.
Social distancing should be followed.
Capacity restrictions are in place in the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, the Seymour Planetarium, Hasbro Gameland, the Hanmer Museum Store, Blake House Cafe (except while eating and drinking) and all facilitated spaces, including Spark!Lab, Art Discovery Center, Science Workshop, and Science Discovery Lab, and otherwise enclosed spaces where children are present.
Advance tickets are strongly encouraged. Please visit the Tickets page.

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Springfield Residents & Walkups

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A limited number of walk up tickets (including Springfield Access) are available on a first-come, first-served basis each day at the Welcome Center.

Combined ticket for The Springfield Museums and the Basketball Hall of Fame
This discounted ticket is a slam dunk! You can visit the museum that celebrates the history of Springfield’s most popular game—the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—plus five museums showcasing art, history, science and Seuss—the Springfield Museums, home of  the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss all with one discounted ticket. Added bonus! You have a full year to visit each museum.
Combined tickets are available for purchase at the admissions desk at the Museums and the Hall of Fame or right here.