A Dr. Seuss Museum Will Open in Springfield Next Year

Photo courtesy of Springfield Museums

In less than a year, you’ll be able to visit the first-ever Dr. Seuss Museum. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss is set to open in Springfield in June 2017.

Dr. Seuss, whose full name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, was born and raised in Springfield. It’s only fitting that a museum in his name should showcase where the author and artist spent his imaginative childhood to kids of all ages.

The new museum will be operated by Springfield Museums, an association of five museums in the city. It will feature interactive displays with Seuss’s familiar cartoon creations like the Cat in the Hat and the Lorax. Objects and memorabilia owned by Geisel’s family will be on display, including his collection of whimsical bowties, plus drawing and sculptures that have never before been seen by the public.

There will also be a model of Geisel’s artist studio in the building featuring his furniture and drawings. Rhyming and word play will prove to be a major theme across all of the exhibits, presenting opportunities for kids and parents to invent stories and explore new vocabulary.

Along with the opening of the museum, next year marks the 15th anniversary of the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, an open green space with life-sized statues of the author’s most famous creations as well as a recreation of Geisel at his drawing table.

Renovations are currently underway at the William Pynchon Memorial Building, located adjacent to the sculpture garden. Formerly the Connecticut Valley Historical Museum, the building will transform into the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum by early summer. A combination of individuals, foundations, corporations, and state entities have so far contributed $5.7 million to the museum’s fundraising goal of $7 million.

“We’re very excited to see the progress on the museum project thus far, particularly with regard to the design of the activity spaces that will allow children and families to interact with familiar Dr. Seuss characters in an entirely new way,” said Susan Brandt, President of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, in a statement.

For more information about The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss and how to donate, see seussinspringfield.com.