Quadrangle (Springfield, Massachusetts) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Quadrangle

Springfield City Library
Location	Metro Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
Type	Cluster of museums and cultural institutions

The Quadrangle is a special place in Metro Center, Springfield, Massachusetts. It's a group of museums and cultural buildings all together on Chestnut Street. Imagine a central park surrounded by amazing places to learn and explore!

Right in the middle of the Quadrangle, you'll find the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. This fun garden is surrounded by a park, a library, five museums, and even a cathedral. Another beautiful cathedral is just a short walk away.

Discover the Springfield Quadrangle!

The Quadrangle is a fantastic spot for families and students. It offers a mix of art, science, history, and literature. You can spend a whole day here discovering new things.

Explore Merrick Park

On the corner of Chestnut and State Streets, you'll find Merrick Park. This park is famous for a statue called The Puritan. It shows one of Springfield's first settlers, Deacon Samuel Chapin. The Springfield City Library and Christ Church Cathedral are right next to the park.

Visit the Springfield City Library

Library, 1930s

The Central Library is a grand building that opened in 1913. It was built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman. Inside, you'll find books for adults, including both fiction and nonfiction.

There are also special areas for Young adult literature and children's books. You can find computers, media materials, and a community room on the first floor. It's a great place to read, study, or find your next favorite story!

Grand Cathedrals Nearby

Two impressive cathedrals are located near the Quadrangle. The Roman Catholic St. Michael's Cathedral is next to the Springfield City Library.

Also close by is the Episcopal Christ Church Cathedral. Both are beautiful examples of historic architecture.

The Amazing Springfield Museums

The Springfield Museums Corporation manages the Dr. Seuss Memorial and five museums in the Quadrangle. In 2013, these museums earned a special national award. This award means they are among the best museums in the United States.

In 2016, the Springfield Museums became a partner with the Smithsonian Institution. This partnership brings exciting new exhibits and learning programs to the area.

George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum: Ancient Wonders

Smith Art Museum

The George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum is the oldest museum in the Quadrangle. It was started by George Walter Vincent Smith and his wife, Belle. They gave their amazing collection to create the museum. The building itself is very old, dating back to 1895.

Inside, the Ancient Treasures Gallery shows items from ancient Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome. You can see Greek and Roman sculptures and old Chinese pottery. The Japanese Arms and Armor Gallery has a large collection of East Asian armor. It also features a beautiful Shinto shrine.

Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts: Masterpieces for Kids

D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts

The Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts displays art from America and Europe. You can see works by famous artists like John Singleton Copley and Claude Monet. The museum also has many fun, interactive exhibits.

It features paintings from different time periods, including the Late Medieval and Renaissance eras. You can also find American paintings by artists like Georgia O'Keeffe. The museum has a large collection of Japanese prints too.

Springfield Science Museum: Dinosaurs, Space, and Animals!

Springfield Science Museum

The Springfield Science Museum is full of exciting things to explore. The Eco-Center has live animals, showing you different ecosystems. The African Hall lets you experience an African Savannah.

Dinosaur Hall is a favorite, with a huge Tyrannosaurus rex model. You can also see real dinosaur bones and skeletons. The museum has a planetarium, which was the first one built in the United States. There's even an observatory with a powerful telescope that you can sometimes use to look at the stars!

Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden: A Whimsical Walk

Years ago, cars could drive around the Quadrangle. But in the 1990s, it became a park just for people walking. Soon after, the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden opened.

This garden has statues of Springfield native Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss. You'll see many of his famous characters brought to life in sculpture. It's a fun place to take pictures and remember his wonderful stories.

Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History: City of Firsts

The Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History opened in 2009. It tells the story of Springfield, a city known for many inventions and "firsts." You can learn about the city's role in American history.

The museum shows how Springfield changed over time, through different wars and new technologies. It has exhibits on antique cars and firearms, showing the city's industries. You can also see many items from the old Indian Motorcycle Museum. This museum also has the Springfield History Library and Archives. It's a collection of old papers, documents, and books about history and family trees.

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum: Fun for All Ages

The newest museum in the Quadrangle opened in 2017. The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum is all about the life and work of Dr. Seuss. It has interactive exhibits that are perfect for children.

You can learn about Dr. Seuss's life and see artifacts related to his books. The museum is housed in the historic William Pynchon Memorial Building.