Archive 2008 - 2019

Free Fun Fridays: July 26th Activities

by Yvette Cain
7/22/2019

Do you know you can see a free play this week at the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company? Or become a “Senator-in-Training” at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute! Who wouldn’t want to make giant bubbles at the Fitchburg Art Museum?

Check out this week’s offerings for Free Fun Fridays, courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation. Select a favorite, or try some place you’ve never been.   Go alone, or grab a friend or two.

July 26, 2019

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum https://www.gardnermuseum.org/

“Head to the Gardner on Free Fun Friday for art-making in the Studio, fun in the galleries, performances in Calderwood Hall, food trucks, and gallery games.

Free admission will be available at the Museum entrance on Friday, July 26 starting at 11 am, on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission includes access to the entire Museum, including special exhibitions. To ensure everyone's experience at the Museum is pleasant, entry is timed every 30 minutes, beginning at 11 am, with the last entry at 4 pm.  For your safety and the safety of the collection, visitors may be asked to wait in line to enter.”

Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate  https://www.emkinstitute.org/

“The Edward M. Kennedy Institute offers a variety of exhibits and experiences for visitors. The surrounding exhibit halls feature technology-driven projected displays that immerse visitors in the history of the Senate. Visitors have the opportunity to become “Senators-in-Training” as they grapple with one of the big issues Senators themselves are tackling today. Tours and programs in the Institute’s to-scale replica of the U.S. Senate Chamber bring the Senate to life for visitors. There are also several special exhibits on display.”

The Institute will be open for free all day with special programs, activities, and exhibits.

Cape Cod Museum of Art https://www.ccmoa.org/

“The Museum preserves the work of the Cape’s finest artists and celebrates the distinctive artistic identity of the Cape, the Islands and the region. It is a major hub of the cultural life of the region.  Through its outstanding art collection and diverse programming, CCMoA educates, inspires and excites the imagination while caring for and connecting the Cape's many communities.

The Museum is situated in a beautiful setting surrounded by a Sculpture Garden at the Cape Cod Center for the Arts. CCMoA has seven galleries, a museum shop and a film screening room.”

Commonwealth Museum https://www.sec.state.ma.us/mus/

“The first public schools, the first battles for American independence, the first abolitionist newspaper, Massachusetts has always been a leader in the quest for equal rights and opportunities.

The Commonwealth Museum brings the story to life with state of the art interactive exhibits. Its dramatic “treasures gallery” holds the great historic documents that protect our liberties. Spend an hour or an afternoon and share our common heritage.”

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company https://commshakes.org/

“Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) is dedicated to artistic excellence, accessibility, and education. We present plays of the highest artistic caliber that celebrate ideas and language to create dialogue around compelling issues of our time.  We eliminate barriers – physical, economic, and cultural – to bring live theater to audiences throughout Greater Boston.  We cultivate in young artists the value of community engagement, and collaborate with educators to bring literature to life in the classroom.”

See website for selected play and location.

Fitchburg Art Museum https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/

“Join us on July 26 for our FAMily-friendly Free Fun Friday! Browse our galleries, make giant bubbles, have your face painted, adopt a balloon animal, enjoy fun art projects, and hunt through the galleries for treasure! Doors open at 10 am, and the fun lasts until 5 pm. Free admission for everyone! “

Historic Deerfield https://www.historic-deerfield.org/

…”an outdoor museum that interprets the history and culture of early New England and the Connecticut River Valley. Visitors can tour twelve carefully-preserved antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850, and explore world-class collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and other decorative arts on display in the authentic period houses and in the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, a state-of-the-art museum facility featuring exhibitions and a visible storage area. “

Larz Anderson Auto Museum https://larzanderson.org/

“Just ten minutes from downtown Boston and nestled inside the 64 beautiful acres of Larz Anderson Park, the Museum is home to “America’s Oldest Car Collection”. These automobiles form the Museum’s permanent collection and are housed within the Carriage House, built in 1888 and designed by the city architect of Boston, Edmund M. Wheelwright…”

The Gardens at Elm Bank (Mass Hort) https://masshort.org/the-gardens-at-elm-bank/

“The Gardens at Elm Bank, a blend of historic and contemporary gardens that demonstrate how plants and design are an integral part of everyday life. Our gardens and programs highlight sustainable design, interpret cultural practices, and foster pure delight.”

Ventfort Hall Mansion & Gilded Age Museum https://gildedage.org/

“Ventfort Hall was one of the approximately seventy-five so-called “Cottages” built in Lenox in the late 19th century when the village became a popular Gilded Age resort. Located on spacious grounds in the heart of the village, we are continuing its restoration, with the first floor completely open to the public along with many of the rooms on the second floor. 

“The first floor and grounds will be open. Our second floor will be closed. We look forward to seeing you!”

Check out the website of each offering.  Many of cultural activities have an e-newsletter to which you may subscribe for up to date exhibit information and special events.