The Springfield Museums’ monthly lecture and tour schedule continues in June with the popular Museums à la Carte lectures, which take place Thursdays at 12:15 p.m. in the Michele and Donald D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts. Admission is $4 ($2 for members of the Springfield Museums); visitors are invited to bring a bag lunch (cookies and coffee are provided). For more information about Museums à la Carte, call 413-263-6800, ext. 488. This month’s lectures are:
June 1: Inside the Creation of the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
Lark Grey Dimond-Cates, sculptor; Wayne E. Phaneuf, Executive Editor, The Republican; and Joseph Carvalho III, certified archivist, retired President/ Executive Director, Springfield Museums
Lark Grey Dimond-Cates discusses her experiences translating the work of her stepfather Ted Geisel–a.k.a. Dr. Seuss–into life-sized bronze sculptures. Dimon-Cates’s new book Dr. Seuss, Springfield, and the Kettle of Bronze will be available for sale and signing.
June 8: Thus Out of Small Beginnings: Springfield Armory, Springfield Museums and Christ Church Cathedral
Tom Callard, Dean, and Roland Holstead, PhD., Senior Warden, Christ Church Cathedral
The history of what is now Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral begins at the United States Armory in Springfield in May 1817. Come review with the current cathedral dean, The Very Rev. Tom Adams Callard and Senior Warden Roland E. Holstead, PhD, the amazing audacity of the superintendent of the armory, Col. Roswell Lee, and his determination to provide a place to worship for his workers who were, because of their employment, barred from attending First Church, Court Square. Learn more about Merrick Park, the Quadrangle, and the Puritan. Take the optional tour of cathedral windows and carvings and a demonstration of the Austin Organ by Cathedral Director of Music, Joseph O’ Berry, all within the hour.
June 15: Theodor Geisel: A Portrait of the Man Who Became Dr. Seuss
Donald E. Pease, Geisel Third Century Professor in the Humanities, Dartmouth College
After graduating from Dartmouth, Theodor Geisel used his talents as an ad-man, political provocateur, and social satirist, gradually but irrevocably turning to children’s books. He will trace the full arc of Dr. Seuss’s prolific career and share a unique look at the enduring legacy of America’s favorite children’s book author.
June 22: Lost Springfield
Derek Strahan, author
At the end of the nineteenth century, the U.S. Armory opened in Springfield, spurring rapid growth. With that golden age of progress came iconic buildings and landmarks that are now lost to time. Railroads brought workers eager to fill Springfield’s factories and enterprises like Smith & Wesson, Merriam Webster and Indian Motocycles. The Massasoit House Hotel, the Church of the Unity, and the Daniel B. Wesson mansion once served as symbols of the city’s grandeur. Forest Park grew into an upscale residential neighborhood of Victorian mansions. Join local historian Derek Strahan as he examines the people, events and—most importantly—places that helped shape Springfield, “The City of Firsts.”
June 29: You’ll Like It Here: The Story of Donald Vitkus, Belchertown Patient #3394
Ed Orzechowski, author
Through a series of interviews with Donald Vitkus, Ed Orzechowski exposes the de-humanizing environment of a Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation institution of the mid-1900s. Misdiagnosed and clinically labeled a “moron” Vitkus was committed to Belchertown State School. In 1949 as patient #3394, he begins a lifelong battle to convince others—and himself—that he is not a moron. This is a story of the resiliency of the human spirit.
Orzechowski is a journalist whose articles, features, and columns have appeared in The Springfield Newspapers, The Daily Hampshire Gazette, and Early American Life magazine. A retired high school English teacher and radio newsperson, Ed lives with his wife Gail in Northampton.
SAVE THE DATE! Lectures resume September 7.
TOURS
Second Saturday of the Month, 10:30 am–noon Walking Tours Join local historians and neighborhood experts for enlightening strolls through the downtown area. Tours begin at the Welcome Center. Free for Museum and Armoury-Quadrangle Civic Association members; $5 nonmembers.
- 6.10 Public Art Robert Markey, Tile Mural Artist
- 7.8 A Personal History of Springfield Daniel J. Donovan
- 8.12 Lost Buildings Derek Strahan, author
Second Saturday Walking Tours are co-presented by Armoury-Quadrangle Civic Association.