In honor of Veteran’s Day, the Springfield Museums is offering free general admission to active duty military and veterans on Wednesday, November 11. At the time of entry, visitors who show a military ID documenting that they are active duty, retired, or reserve from Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or National Guard will receive free general admission covering all four museums. Veterans who left military service before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge paperwork (DD Form 214). (Extra fees for special programs like planetarium shows may apply.)
At the Lyman & Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, visitors can view exhibits of Springfield-built Indian Motocycles, Rolls-Royces, Smith & Wesson firearms, and a limited showing of the exhibit Firearms of Famous People: From Target Shooters to Presidents, featuring weapons owned by Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt. Other options include a visit to the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center, located in the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, and the Solutia Live Animal Center in the Springfield Science Museum.
The following week, the Museums will be the site of a special event featuring photographs taken by veterans in the phototherapy class at the Friends of Ward 8 Northampton VA Medical Center in Leeds. Hosted by Smith & Wesson, the event will feature unique gift items including framed art, calendars, greeting cards, and inspirational art, with all proceeds to benefit veterans’ programs at the Center. The auction takes place at the Wood Museum of Springfield History on Wednesday, November 18 from 5 – 8 PM. Advance tickets for the auction can be purchased at www.smith-wesson.com.