“Our administration looks forward to continuing our work to support public-private partnerships . . . that will help drive tourism and benefit residents and visitors for years to come.”— Governor Charlie Baker.

“Improving the facilities of the wildly popular Springfield Science Museum will attract even more people to our city and increase the impact our Museums have to share wonder with our visitors.”—Kay Simpson, President of the Springfield Museums

The Cat in the Hat himself will be on hand at 1:30 pm Saturday June 9 to joyfully take Governor Baker on a tour of the Springfield Museums—and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum—after the Governor announces $9.3 Million in New Capital Funds Awarded to support the Massachusetts creative economy. The Springfield Science Museum is one of the beneficiaries of this generous grant cycle.

“We are overjoyed to receive these needed funds to help us improve the infrastructure of our 160 year old museum,” said Dave Stier, Director of the Springfield Science Museum.  The museum will receive funding for renovations.

The $9.3 million in new grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, a state program that fosters the growth of the creative economy by supporting building projects in the nonprofit arts, humanities, and sciences, will impact many beloved facilities throughout Massachusetts. Grants range from $7,000 to $200,000 and must be matched one-to-one from private and/or other public sources. They include:

• $200,000 to the Springfield Science Museum for renovations to the bathroom, lighting and carpeting
• $100,000 to the Northampton Community Arts Trust  for exterior site work including sidewalk and parking renovations, and landscaping to create small gathering spaces and an outdoor event space.
• $100,000 to Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, for improvements to wayfinding signage, parking lot repairs, and energy efficiency.
• $165,000 to Sterling & Francine Clark Art Institute, Wellfleet, to replace environmental controls systems for the Manton Research Center’s 5 air handling units and to install central heating and dehumidification systems in the Museum Building attic.

“From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, Massachusetts is home to a deep cultural history that continues to grow and thrive,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration looks forward to continuing our work to support public-private partnerships like these that will help drive tourism and benefit residents and visitors for years to come.”

“Our administration is proud of Massachusetts’ creative economy and we are pleased to support capital investments that help preserve the arts and humanities,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “These grants will boost projects that drive tourism, benefit residents and recognize the rich history embedded into our Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns.”

“For more than a decade the Cultural Facilities Fund has been a vital source of capital for the nonprofit cultural sector—creating jobs, driving tourism, and revitalizing communities across the Commonwealth,” said Anita Walker, Mass Cultural Council Executive Director. “We thank Governor Baker and his Administration for its continued support of this program.”

“Improving the facilities of the wildly popular Springfield Science Museum will attract even more people to our city and increase the impact our Museums have to share wonder with our visitors,” said Kay Simpson, President of the Springfield Museums

On Saturday, the Governor will hold a press conference together with Walker at 1:30 at the Springfield Museums to publicly announce the many winners of CFF grants. The Governor will also have the opportunity to tour the Museums with the Cat in the Hat as his guide.

Also at the Museums Saturday:

Book signing by Friendly’s founder and car collector Prestley Blake (10-11:30 am)

Friendly Ice Cream giveaway (10-11:30 am; while supplies last)

Cruisin’ New England 25th Anniversary Kick-off

June 9 @ 9:00 am–4:00 pm

Join host Paul Mennett and celebrate the popular magazine and NESN series’ milestone with a car show on the Quadrangle. Rain or shine.

• Hot Wheels Racing Competition
• Music By WMEX Oldies 105.9 Gary James Show
• Dessert Contest
• Indian Motorcycle Collection and Springfield Built Carsin the Wood Museum of Springfield History

Admission (includes the Wood Museum of Springfield History)
$10 adults
$5 children 3-17
Free for members or with paid museum admission