Children and families can explore the wonders of Greece and Rome at the Springfield Museums the week of August 1 during "Ancient Adventures" summer programs. The programs have been planned to celebrate the new Ancient Treasures gallery in the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum.

"Ancient Adventures" programs are sponsored by Bank of America and by the Eugene A. Dexter Charitable Fund through the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Activities are free with the price of museum admission unless noted. Daily, Tuesday through Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Pan for gems and fossils in the "Museum Mining Company's" rushing river sluice (additional fee; proceeds support the Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden). Ongoing – Go on a scavenger hunt through the new Ancient Treasures gallery and win a prize. Noon-3:30 p.m. – Make take-home crafts and meet costumed characters from ages past. Noon-3:45 p.m. – Hands-on Family Science Adventures 1, 2 & 3 p.m. – Planetarium shows (additional fee) Noon- 4 p.m. – Try on costumes and make "ancient art." Tuesday, August 1 12:30 p.m. – Children can don masks and costumes as they join storyteller Mary Jo Maichack in a performance of "Greek Myths Alive." Noon-3:30 p.m. – Make puppets of gods and goddesses. Wednesday, August 2 12:30 p.m. – Storyteller Tom McCabe will present "Aesop's Fabulous Fables." Noon-3:30 p.m. – Make a gladiator's shield. Thursday, August 3 12:30 p.m. – Meet a Roman Centurion and his soldiers when members of the Roman re-enactment group Legio II Cyrenaica demonstrate ancient Roman fighting. Noon-3:30 p.m. – Make a gladiator's shield and try writing with a stylus. Friday, August 4 12:30 p.m. – The Tanglewood Marionettes will present Perseus and Medusa, a lavish production featuring hand-crafted marionettes, scrolling sets, and exotic music that will transport the audience to an ancient world of gods, goddesses, prophesies and heroes. Noon-3:30 p.m. – Make a gladiator's shield and try writing with a stylus, the tool used by the ancients to write on clay tablets. The "Ancient Adventures" series will conclude the week of August 8-11 with an exploration of the Ancient Americas.