Marcia Strykowski

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss

My last post was about a visit to Emily Dickinson’s house in Amherst, Massachusetts. Well, during that same trip, we also visited The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum in nearby Springfield. Since The Cat in the Hat is celebrating its 60th year in print, it seemed a good time to check it out. 

Theodor Seuss Geisel (March 2, 1904 – September 24, 1991)Rather than go into a lot of detail, I’ll mostly let these colorful pictures show you some of the highlights of my visit.I love this elevator–perfect! It was interesting to see the casting process for one of the outdoor sculptures.Unlike some museums, just about everything on display was  actually used by Ted and then donated by his family.I think my favorite part was seeing this setup of his drawing studio.
I also enjoyed studying this family tree mural.

“You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book.”—Dr. Seuss

The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss is a brand new museum adjacent to the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden. Not only is there a lot to see at this museum, but with one ticket (Adults $25, Seniors & Students: $16.50, Youth 3-17: $13, Residents & kids under 3: Free) you get into all five museums in the impressive Springfield museum complex. The sculpture garden is a pleasant park and always free.

Time to go back outside and into the garden.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”—Dr. Seuss

53 Comments

  1. I love Dr Seuss, Marcia. This looks like an amazing place to visit.

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  2. Julie Fulton

    What a fab museum. I grew up reading Dr Seuss books – One Fish Two Fish & Green Eggs and Ham were my favourites. Lucky you!

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    • Hi Julie! Establishing the museum was a great idea. So many children are familiar with his books. Fun to hear they were just as popular across the pond. 🙂

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  3. Bobbi Miller

    These pictures are wonderful and so much fun. I love Horton!

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  4. Isn’t that wonderful? I imagine kids would love it as such as those of us who grew up on Seuss. I love the garden sculptures. Thanks for the delightful post!

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    • Yes, it’s definitely set up with kids in mind. They only let in so many people at a time (every half hour) so there’ll be plenty of playtime. I’m glad you enjoyed the post!

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  5. Sounds like a fun place to visit! I love the family tree mural and the sculptures.

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    • If I remember correctly, the family tree was designed by his grandson and all the gorgeous bronze sculptures in the garden were made by his step-daughter.

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  6. I enjoyed my playtime reading your post. Delightful!

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  7. What an awesome garden! The museum looks like a great addition, too.

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    • Ted’s step-daughter is a well-known sculptor and made all 30 bronze pieces for the garden, they’re amazing!

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  8. Marcia,I loved this tour of Dr Seuss world…the books were my son’s (and mine) favourite when he was young and it was such fun seeing the collections,statues and most of all Dr Seuss and his working space. A delightful cheery post! 😀😀

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  9. Such a wonderful post Marcia and what an amazing time you had. Oh, the places you go! ( slight adaptation of a line by Dr. Seuss). I love the statue of Horton and the monkey!

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    • Ha, I see what you did there. 🙂 I feel fortunate that so many great author/illustrator spots are located throughout New England. Thanks, Barbara!

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  10. MIchele

    I didn’t know this place existed! Thanks for the lovely tour, Marcia! It looks like a great place to visit.

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    • The Seuss museum just opened in June, but has been a while in the making. The nearby art museum had a nice collection, too. You’ll have to plan another trip down towards western MA! 🙂

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  11. I would love to visit this museum. Did the author live at this site? I love the picture of you sitting between the pages of a between the pages of a book. So apt!

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    • Hi Darlene, Seuss did grow up in Springfield, but not at this same location. His childhood home was on the market a couple of years ago, and I believe the museum bought it, but I don’t know what their plans are. Isn’t that giant book great!? 🙂

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  12. Colleen

    I LOVE the photos, Marcia- especially in the garden. You do visit the most fascinating literary places!

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    • Gardens and sculptures are such a good combination. Have a nice fall, Colleen!

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  13. I love Dr. Seuss. Great post. I would love to go visit the museum.

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    • Happy to meet another Dr. Seuss fan! I hope you’ll get to visit the museum someday.

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  14. Oh my gosh Marcia– I would have loved to take a class full of kids on a field trip to this museum!! I have a whole shelf of Dr. Seuss right here in the family room — favorites– Hop On Pop and Horton Hatches the Egg and One Fish Two Fish. Have read them to kids so many times. And I’m wondering the connection with Giesel and Springfield. Was he from there?? I know he lived down in San Diego later in life. What a bright fun post! thanks!

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    • You’re right, this would be a perfect place to go for a school field trip. Seuss grew up in Springfield; his house went up for sale a couple of years ago. The museum ended up buying the property, but I don’t think they’ve done anything with it yet (it’s not at this location). His famous Mulberry Street book is based on a Springfield street. This was his first published book for children (after 27 rejections from publishers!). Nice to hear from you, Rhonda!

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      • Great post all around Marcia– how is your weekend going?? We’re staying up too late– watching the Cal football game (and typing to you). Our kids are at the game so we’re rooting them on from home… hugs friend!!

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        • I hope the game ended with your team winning! We’re visiting our kids in Buffalo, off on another adventure soon. I’ll be catching up on all the posts I’m missing once I’m back home again. Happy Sunday! xo

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          • Hi Marcia– That sounds like a fun trip!! Did you drive across or fly?? How are they doing?? We love dropping in on our kids. And Cal won the football game– new coach so we’ll see how the season goes… Enjoy every minute with the kids! And I’m waiting to see what your next adventure will be! xox from here!

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            • Hi Rhonda, we’re already back after driving home most of today. All is well there and we toured a few new places–a wonderful time overall. Great to hear you had a win! 🙂

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            • We’ll, Welcome Home Marcia!!

              Liked by 1 person

  15. pierrmorgan

    Wonderful! Thanks for another fabulous tour.

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  16. What fun! I’ve enjoyed the virtual tour of this museum.

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  17. Thank you for taking us to this museum through your wonderful photos. I think his writing desk and chair are my favorites. Dr. Seuss did as much for people with his words as he did with his art. I really do need to visit!

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    • Yes, you’ll have to pop over there. It doesn’t take long to see everything, but it would be fun to add onto touring the other museums. 🙂

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  18. mirkabreen

    Oh, the places you’ve been to, Marcia! Thank you for taking us along.

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  19. Deborah Nolan

    Marcia this was such a treat to see Dr. Seus’ museum and like you I was drawn to his studio. I am so glad you shared this visit. Would love to go there someday. Hugs!

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    • I was glad that his actual drawing board and belongings had been saved by his family for the rest of us to enjoy; brings so much more to the visit than just seeing replicas. Thanks, Debbie!

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  20. Bette Norton

    I feel like I just had a visit to the Dr. Seus Museum through your wonderful pictures! I will add this to my bucket list too! I will make a day of it visiting Emily Dickinson’s home that you wrote about in your last post and the Dr. Seus Museum. I loved reading Dr. Seus to my children and to my preschool students. It is always a favorite with people of all ages!
    Thank you for another great post! 🙂

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    • Great, you’ll have a good museum day. The other connected Springfield museums are right there next to the Seuss building and one ticket gets you into all of them. I think you’ll like the art museum in particular. 🙂

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  21. Beautiful! It reminds me of a show of Dr. Seuss Art that my friends and I happened upon upstairs from a farmer’s market in an odd part of my city, loved it!

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    • Oh, fun! It must have been a great surprise to run into that art show. 🙂

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  22. Not only was Dr. Seuss a master of writing children’s literature, but he was also a master artist on par with the great artists. That’s right. He was on par with the great artists such as Michaelangelo, Van Gogh, Picasso, Hiroshig, and Casper David Freiderich, just to name a few, but like all the rest had his own style. His hidden artwork which is now seen at art galleries is amazing. I highly recommend the book The Hidden Artwork of Dr. Seuss. Just as I want Dr. Seuss to be remembered as a serious children’s writer, I want people also to remember him as a serious artist because he was.

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  23. This looked like such a lovely place to vidit! I enjoyed it! 👏👏👏👏

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