{"id":36737,"date":"2021-03-12T09:21:47","date_gmt":"2021-03-12T14:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=36737"},"modified":"2021-03-13T07:43:06","modified_gmt":"2021-03-13T12:43:06","slug":"what-to-do-after-a-long-year-museums-attractions-slowly-reopening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=36737","title":{"rendered":"What To Do: After a long year, museums, attractions slowly reopening"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Longwood Gardens<\/p><\/div>\n

Amazingly, it was a year ago when COVID-19\u2019s destructive path began to evidence itself all across the United States.<\/p>\n

On Friday the 13th<\/sup> in 2020, things started to shut down in response to the newly arrived pandemic.<\/p>\n

Because of Coronavirus, doors were beginning to close. But the doors were not being slammed shut and locked tight. That would come a little later.<\/p>\n

Events, meetings, sports games, family activities, concerts and school programs were erased from schedules at a head-spinning rate. <\/p>\n

Some of the popular annual events usually held this weekend were cancelled. Restrictions led to the cancellation of all the various St. Patrick\u2019s Day parades in the area \u2013 Philadelphia, Wilmington, Springfield, Conshohocken — all of them wiped out more quickly than you can say \u201cSlainte.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some of the area\u2019s attractions remained open \u2013 but with caveats.<\/p>\n

The message on Longwood Gardens\u2019 website was \u2013<\/p>\n

Longwood Gardens is committed to remaining a safe place of beauty and respite for our community.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Our Gardens are open. However, all assembled group activities are canceled.<\/em><\/p>\n

Out of an abundance of concern for the wellbeing of our guests and community, and in keeping with the CDC\u2019s guidance to practice social distancing, all concerts, tours, onsite classes, Member events, family and student programming, and lectures are canceled.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

According to the Brandywine River Museum Museum\u2019s website:<\/p>\n

The Brandywine is dedicated to remaining a safe and welcoming place for our visitors and staff during the heightened vigilance associated with the spread of the infectious disease COVID-19.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Brandywine is open during regular hours, and all programs are taking place as scheduled, unless otherwise noted.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to proactively protect the health and well-being of our visitors and staff.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This was the message on the Hagley Museum website:<\/p>\n

For the health and well-being of our community, Hagley is taking measures to support efforts in response to COVID-19. These are in keeping with the CDC\u2019s guidance to practice social distancing.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Hagley Museum is open for public visitation for walking. Most buildings will be closed. Buses will not be running, and the \u201cupper property\u201d will be closed.\u00a0Additionally, the Hagley Library will be closed.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Winterthur\u2019s response to the Coronavirus invasion was:<\/p>\n

We are postponing all public events, programs, and tours and closing our galleries, retail stores and caf\u00e9 through April 30. We are working to reschedule events and we will reach out to you with the new dates.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Winterthur gardens and trails remain open for those looking for peace and beauty in these difficult times.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This year, March 13 arrives this weekend.<\/p>\n

The Brandywine River Museum and Hagley Museum are closed. Longwood Gardens and Winterthur are open.<\/p>\n

The Brandywine River Museum isn\u2019t open \u2013 but for non-COVID reasons.<\/p>\n

The museum is currently closed to the public to undergo facility renovations to its second and third floors. The Museum will be reopening in June with its new special exhibition, \u201cRalston Crawford: Air & Space & War.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hagley Museum is scheduled to re-open on May 1 and things are going smoothly at Longwood Gardens.<\/p>\n

\u201cWinter Wonder,\u201d which is running now through March 21 at Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org<\/a>), celebrates the beauty of winter. The celebration is all about outdoor spacious, indoor oasis, and the power of story.<\/p>\n

Outside, visitors can find a sense of peace and tranquility as they walk past textural grasses, seed heads and the dramatic silhouettes of trees that stretch up into the sky.<\/p>\n

Inside, they can bask in a world of warmth that features an overhead garden of hanging baskets adorned with such vibrant beauties as jasmine, cape-primrose, and lipstick-plant.<\/p>\n

Visitors will be able to enjoy a paradise of flowers and foliage, bursting with color — all in a beautiful indoor winter wonderland with a tropical twist.<\/p>\n

\u201cWinter Wonder\u201d exists on two levels.<\/p>\n

Both outdoors and in, they can embark on a poignant journey with\u00a0\u201cVoices in the Landscape,\u201d a series of 10 stops throughout the Gardens which can also be accessed virtually from home. In this sensory experience, participants will follow along as storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston honors and celebrates the strength, resilience, and contributions of the African American community through the lens of horticulture and the power of story.<\/p>\n

Those taking the tour can hear an ancient Zulu creation myth paired with the oldest plant on Earth in the Conservatory; make their way to the Lookout Loft Treehouse and learn the story of the significance and symbolism of woods and meadows; and call out the name of an ancestor in remembrance at the Large Lake while a traditional spiritual soothes your soul.<\/p>\n

Voices in the Landscape is an Accessible Experience.<\/p>\n

The exhibition features a total of 10 audio experiences associated with specific locations throughout the Gardens, including seven outdoor stops and three stops in the Conservatory. The entire route is accessible without stairs and the length of the route, including the stops in the Conservatory, is about 1.5 miles.<\/p>\n

\u201cVoices in the Landscape\u201d signage is at each stop. Each audio recording ranges between three and eight minutes in length. The estimated time to experience the entire Voices in the Landscape exhibit is approximately one-and-one-half hours.<\/p>\n

As always, admission by \u201cTimed Ticket\u201d — tickets issued for specific dates and times. Timed ticketing limits the number of people in the Gardens at any given time and allows guests to enjoy minimal lines and a better viewing experience.<\/p>\n

You may enter the Gardens up to 30 minutes prior and 30 minutes after your designated time. Make every effort to arrive at your designated reservation time. Earlier or later arrivals may not be accommodated.<\/p>\n

Admission to Longwood Gardens is $25 for adults, $22 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and college students, $18 for active military and veterans and $13 for youth (ages 5-18).<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Winterthur Museum<\/p><\/div>\n

Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, www.winterthur.org<\/a>) has now opened its 2021 season with access to the Museum, Galleries, Garden, and 25 miles of walking trails.<\/p>\n

On March 13, Winterthur will present a special event titled \u201cBank to Bend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Visitors are invited to celebrate the winter garden and early\u00a0spring bulb displays of the March Bank\u00a0with educational videos as well as self-guided and guided tours.<\/p>\n

Participants will be greeted by thousands of white snowdrops and yellow aconite and\u00a0Adonis amurensis\u00a0\u2013 all signaling the return of spring.<\/p>\n

Reservations\u00a0required for the guided tours which will be offered from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.<\/p>\n

Almost 60 years ago, collector and horticulturist Henry Francis du Pont\u00a0(1880\u20131969) opened his childhood home, Winterthur, to the public. Today, Winterthur is the premier museum of American decorative arts, with an unparalleled collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America between about 1640 and 1860. The collection is displayed in the magnificent 175-room house, much as it was when the du Pont family lived here, as well as in permanent and changing exhibition galleries.<\/p>\n

Winterthur is set amidst a 1,000-acre preserve of rolling meadows and woodlands. Designed by du Pont, its 60-acre naturalistic garden is among America\u2019s best, with magnificent specimen plantings and massed displays of color. Graduate programs and a preeminent research library make Winterthur an important center for the study of American art and culture.<\/p>\n

Winterthur\u2019s 1,000 acres encompass rolling hills, streams, meadows, and forests. Founder Henry Francis du Pont (1880-1969) developed an appreciation of nature as a boy that served as the basis for his life\u2019s work in the garden.<\/p>\n

He selected the choicest plants from around the world to enhance the natural setting, arranging them in lyrical color combinations and carefully orchestrating a\u00a0succession of bloom from late January to November. Du Pont translated his love of the land into a unified work of art that embodies a romantic vision of nature\u2019s beauty.<\/p>\n

Admission to Winterthur is $20 for adults. $18 for seniors and students (with valid ID), $6 for children (ages 2-11) and free for infants (under 2).<\/p>\n

Another attractive Delaware destination is the scenic town of Odessa.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Historic Odessa<\/p><\/div>\n

Historic Odessa (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119,\u00a0www.historicodessa.org<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) is a Delaware attraction known for being both a scenic and an historic site. On March 2, Historic Odessa celebrated the beginning of its 2021 season.<\/p>\n

Known in the 18th-century as Cantwell\u2019s Bridge, Odessa played a vital role in commercial life along the Delaware River as a busy grain shipping port.<\/p>\n

Today, visitors can stroll along tree-lined streets and admire examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture in one of the best-preserved towns in Delaware.<\/p>\n

They can also tour a remarkable collection of antiques and Americana preserved in period room settings and quaint exhibits.<\/p>\n

Historic Odessa is open to the public from March through December, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.\u00a0 The site is also open Monday by reservation.<\/p>\n

Historic Odessa is closed January and February, Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.<\/p>\n

The Historic Odessa Foundation\u2019s first art exhibit of the year, \u201cOur Delaware: Local Art Collected by HOF Staff,\u201d is running now through March 28.<\/p>\n

The assorted artworks from the personal collections of several Historic Odessa Foundation staff members were either created by a Delaware artist or illustrate subject matter in Delaware or both.<\/p>\n

The diverse collection includes watercolors, oil paintings, and a few limited-edition prints.\u00a0The title of the art exhibit comes from the official Delaware state song, \u201cOur Delaware,\u201d which was written as a poem by George B. Hynson and adapted to music by Will M.S. Brown. It was adopted as the state\u2019s official song on April 7, 1925.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Reserve Tastings in the Barrel Room<\/p><\/div>\n

Every Saturday and Sunday through March 21, the Chaddsford Winery (632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, http:\/\/www.chaddsford.com<\/a>) will present \u201cReserve Tastings in the Barrel Room.\u201d<\/p>\n

Guests are invited to join the winery staff for\u00a0an in-depth,\u00a0intimate,\u00a0and educational 90-minute experience in the newly renovated Barrel Room.<\/p>\n

The trained staff will guide visitors through a pre-selected tasting of five diverse and award-winning wines from across the winery\u2019s portfolio.\u00a0 The selections will\u00a0be\u00a0paired alongside local\u00a0cheeses and other accoutrements\u00a0to enhance the tasting experience.<\/p>\n

The staff will also discuss topics such as grape growing conditions at our partner vineyards and the onsite winemaking process from production to aging and bottling.<\/p>\n

The March \u201cPairing Line Up\u201d is 2018 Sauvignon Blanc with Yellow Springs Farm Cloud Nine Goat Cheese, 2019 Dry Ros\u00e9: Redux with Yellow Springs Farm Goat Feta;\u00a0grapefruit marmalade\u00a0and dried hibiscus petals, 2018 Harbinger with \u00c9clat Chocolate, 2019 Vignoles with homemade chips and pico de gallo from\u00a0Flavors of Jalisco, and 2019 Sparkling White.<\/p>\n

Reserve Tastings are $35 per person and offered only on Saturdays and Sundays.\u00a0\u00a0There are three seatings each day \u2013 noon, 2 and 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

Advanced reservations are required\u00a0and are non-refundable. Children and guests under 21 years old are\u00a0not permitted\u00a0to attend a Reserve Tasting.<\/p>\n

Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org<\/a>) has some fun activities scheduled for March.<\/p>\n

\u201cWeekday Bird Walks: Limited Edition\u201d are scheduled for every Wednesday in March from 8-10 a.m. Participants can join\u00a0Sue Lucas\u00a0and\u00a0Sara Boucas-Neto\u00a0on morning bird walks at Tyler.<\/p>\n

With acres of unbroken forest interior and extensive meadows, Tyler is recognized by the Pennsylvania Audubon Society as an Important Bird Area.\u00a0Participants are asked to bring their own binoculars and be prepared to walk on all types of surfaces. Walks are rain or shine. Tickets are $15 and include admission to Tyler for the day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWeekday Wildflower Walks, Limited Edition\u201d are also scheduled for every Wednesday in March from 11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. each day.<\/p>\n

Participants will join wildflower experts\u00a0Dick Cloud\u00a0and\u00a0Richard Brenner\u00a0and discover the multitude of wildflowers that are in flower, fruit and perhaps a stage in-between. These walks are for those who have a love of plants, their role in ecology, or for those who want to learn more.<\/p>\n

Instructions are to wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring a camera and\/or a wildflower guide and enjoy a botanical-filled walk.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $15 and include admission to Tyler for the day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Linvilla Orchards<\/p><\/div>\n

Linvilla Orchards (137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116,www.linvilla.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) has partnered with\u00a0Ship Bottom Brewery\u00a0to bring beers in the barn for patrons to enjoy on crisp late-winter evenings. Some of the ales will even be crafted with Linvilla\u2019s own farm grown products.<\/p>\n

Daytime fun includes Corn Hole and Giant Jenga along with other favorite annual Linvilla activities.\u00a0In the evening, patrons can enjoy a pint under the stars and, weather permitting, sit around a toasty bonfire.<\/p>\n

The Beer Garden is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon-5 p.m. each day. There will be fire pits and patio heaters. As an added attraction, a food truck will be onsite each day.<\/p>\n

Linvilla Orchard\u2019s\u00a0\u201cFore! The Planet,\u201d\u00a0which opened for the year on January 16, is a highly interactive and playful museum exhibit created by the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia. This exhibition pairs important environmental issues with the fun of miniature golf.<\/p>\n

It features 18 unique educational holes on a variety of topics \u2014 butterfly metamorphosis, a tropical rainforest, evolution, dinosaur extinction, food chains and more. Kids of all ages can enjoy playing miniature golf while learning about our environment on every hole.<\/p>\n

The mini-course is open daily from 9 a.m. -5 p.m. Tickets are $9 (ages 11 and over) and $10 (ages 10 and under).<\/p>\n

A trip to Linvilla would not be complete without a visit to Linvilla Orchards Farm Market. It features fresh produce (with 50 per cent off all vegetables), baked goods and gourmet specialties — including seasonally homegrown and locally sourced fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n

The bakery opened in the 1960s with the farm market\u2019s famous freshly baked pies. Over the years, the menu has been expanded to include breads, cakes, hors d\u2019oeuvres, apple cider doughnuts and more.<\/p>\n

Charter Day, which is \u201cofficially\u201d celebrated on March 11, recognizes the day William Penn received his land grant for Pennsylvania from King Charles II of England in 1681.<\/p>\n

In observance of Pennsylvania\u2019s founding, some of the region\u2019s historic sites host special activities — all of which are free and open to the public.<\/p>\n

To celebrate the granting of the charter to William Penn more than 300 years ago, the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission invites you to Charter Day.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) is wrapping up a week-long celebration of the commonwealth\u2019s 340th birthday with a virtual display of William Penn\u2019s original 1681 charter and other programming from the\u00a0Pennsylvania State Archives, State Museum of Pennsylvania and the\u00a0Pennsylvania Trails of History.<\/p>\n

Now through March 12, virtual visitors to the Charter Day 2021 landing page will be able to view the charter and find out more about how the Charter ended up at PHMC and how we care for it.<\/p>\n

In addition, they can \u201ctour\u201d the Violet Oakley murals of William Penn, Pennsylvania\u2019s founder, featured in the Governor\u2019s Reception Room at the Capitol, explore colonial-era documents or \u201cvirtually\u201d page through more than 45 years of\u00a0Pennsylvania Heritage magazine for articles exploring all aspects of Pennsylvania\u2019s centuries old history and much more.<\/p>\n

The Betsy Ross House (239 Arch Street, Philadelphia,\u00a0http:\/\/historicphiladelphia.org\/betsy-ross-house\/what-to-see\/<\/em><\/a>)<\/strong> is set to celebrate\u00a0Women\u2019s History Month\u00a0with special events throughout the month of March.<\/p>\n

The iconic site is the only place in Philadelphia dedicated solely to telling the stories of Colonial women and their contributions to our nation and embraces the month as a way to highlight even more women throughout history and to share some of the lesser-known details of Betsy Ross\u2019 story.<\/p>\n

\u201cStorytelling Sundays\u201d will be held on March 14, 21, and 28.<\/p>\n

On\u00a0March 14 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.,\u00a0Once Upon A Nation Storytellers\u00a0will share short stories of women\u2019s struggle to gain the vote and other stories of women throughout history who made often unsung contributions to society.<\/p>\n

The last two weekends in March take visitors into the trenches of the fight for women\u2019s suffrage.<\/p>\n

On\u00a0March 21 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.,\u00a0visitors will be able to meet\u00a0Alice Paul\u00a0American Quaker,\u00a0suffragist,\u00a0feminist, and\u00a0women’s rights\u00a0activist and one of the leaders of the campaign for the 19th\u00a0Amendment.<\/p>\n

On March 28, visitors will have the opportunity to meet\u00a0Frances Harper,\u00a0an abolitionist, suffragist, poet, teacher and public speaker, who was one of the first African American women to be published in the United States.<\/p>\n

Storytelling is included with admission to the Betsy Ross House.<\/p>\n

Another special event will be the program, \u201cTipsy History: The Little Rebel,\u201d which will be held March 25-27 at 5, 6, and 7 p.m.<\/p>\n

During \u201cTipsy History: The Little Rebel\u00a0Thursday,\u201d visitors will hear from Betsy, herself, how she earned her \u201cLittle Rebel\u201d nickname.<\/p>\n

Then, they will head into the House for a special women\u2019s history-themed tour. The final segment will be a walk around the corner to\u00a0Art in the Age\u00a0to enjoy a delicious, handcrafted cocktail and raise a glass to the ladies, past and present.<\/p>\n

Tours, which run about 90 minutes, will be timed and tickets limited to allow for proper social distancing.\u00a0 Masks are required. Tickets are $25 per person and must be purchased in advance.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia is known as one of America\u2019s most historic cities. So, it is no surprise that there are always history-related events on the city\u2019s activities schedule.<\/p>\n

Grim\u00a0Philly\u2019s \u201cDark Philly History Tour\u201d (www.grimphilly.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) will be held every Friday and Saturday night in March at 8 p.m. each evening. Beginning in April, the tour will be presented every evening.<\/p>\n

Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America’s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers. The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way. This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.<\/p>\n

Grim Philly will also be presenting \u201cSerial Killers & Cemetery Tour\u201d every Saturday at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

Participants will have the opportunity to experience unconventional sightseeing off the beaten path. They can enjoy Betsy Ross House, Christ Church, Elfreth\u2019s Alley, and Benjamin Franklin\u2019s Grave, together with tales of serial slayings and psychopathic killers like the Corpse Collector, Frankfort Slasher, and H.H. Holmes.<\/p>\n

Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Philadelphia (215-413-1997,\u00a0www.<\/em><\/strong>ghosttour.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>),\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Lancaster (717-687-6687,\u00a0www.<\/em><\/strong>ghosttour.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) and\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Strasburg (717-687-6687,\u00a0www.<\/em><\/strong>ghosttour.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true\u00a0ghost\u00a0stories and real haunted houses.<\/p>\n

The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, \u201cGhost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,\u201d is a candlelight walking\u00a0tour\u00a0along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where\u00a0ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.<\/p>\n

Participants can discover the ghost lore of America\u2019s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn\u2019s colony to present-day hauntings.<\/p>\n

The activity is open year-round \u2013 weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.<\/p>\n

The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, \u201cGhost Stories of Lancaster, PA.\u201d<\/p>\n

Participants in the\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America\u2019s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The\u00a0tour\u00a0provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City\u2019s thorny past. Tickets are $18.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Ghost\u00a0Tour\u00a0of Strasburg is a candlelight walking\u00a0tour\u00a0of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed\u00a0tour\u00a0guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night \u2026 in a town lost in time. Tickets are $18.<\/p>\n

Philly\u2019s reputation as a hotbed of history is reinforced by its assortment of great museums \u2013 many of which are back in full operation after a pandemic shutdown.<\/p>\n

The Franklin Institute (222 North 20th Street, Philadelphia,\u00a0www.fi.edu<\/a>) is up and running again.<\/p>\n

The museum\u2019s posted this message on its website:<\/p>\n

Our world has changed, but our mission and purpose have not.\u00a0We\u2019ve reopened with a\u00a0modified museum experience\u00a0designed to celebrate science in a safe and welcoming environment\u2014and we\u2019re excited to see you!
\nAdvance tickets are required for all guests with no online fees.
\nFace coverings\u00a0and\u00a0no-touch temperature checks\u00a0required for everyone age three and older.
\nEnhanced daily cleaning protocols, lots of hand sanitization stations, reduced capacity,\u00a0and streamlined spaces for ease of movement.\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>A few weeks ago, the Franklin Institute celebrated the debut of \u201cCrayola IDEAworks: The Creativity Exhibition.\u201d<\/p>\n

Featuring a fusion of cutting-edge technology with state-of-the-art exhibits,\u00a0Crayola IDEAworks\u00a0sets the new standard for an interactive educational entertainment.<\/p>\n

For more than a century, Crayola has sparked imagination and ignited creativity all over the world. Best known for their iconic box of crayons, the spectrum of Crayola products is rooted in innovation and invention.<\/p>\n

In its exclusive, limited run in Philadelphia, the exhibition will inspire visitors of all ages to develop and expand their creative skills through a multitude of activities that will stimulate the senses while empowering creativity and imagination.<\/p>\n

Crayola IDEAworks\u00a0showcases the ways that anyone can be creative. Featuring a fusion of cutting-edge technology with state-of-the-art exhibits,\u00a0Crayola IDEAworks\u00a0sets the new standard for an interactive educational entertainment.<\/p>\n

\u201cCrayola IDEAworks: The Creativity Exhibition\u201d will close on July 18, 2021.<\/p>\n

Admission to the Franklin Institute is $23 for adults, $21 for seniors and $19 for children.<\/p>\n

The American Swedish Historical Museum\u00a0(1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-389-1776,\u00a0http:\/\/www.americanswedish.org<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) will celebrate Easter Family Fun Day on March 14.<\/p>\n

Parents can introduce their kids to Swedish Easter traditions and visit the exhibition\u00a0\u201cFrom Fairy Tale to Fantasy: The Art of Gustaf Tenggren.\u201d<\/p>\n

The afternoon drop-in program will feature grab-and-go craft kits, a family photo-op station, and an egg hunt. This program will take place outside rain or shine. All attendees are required to wear masks.<\/p>\n

Egg Hunt Sign-Up\u00a0will open at 2 p.m. and will take place at the following times — 2:45 p.m. – Children aged 5 and under; 2:55 p.m. – Children aged 6-12.<\/p>\n

The \u201cEaster Craft Bag\u201d includes two Craft Easter Eggs, one Birch Branch with Feathers, one Hanging Cat Craft, one Easter Egg Card Craft, one Egg & Chick Fence Craft, and one Easter Witch Craft.<\/p>\n

Admission, which includes museum admission, is $25 for families up to four persons and $5 for each additional family member.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Philadelphia Museum of Art<\/p><\/div>\n

The Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia,\u00a0www.philamuseum.org<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) came back to life in January.<\/p>\n

The museum is open Friday through Monday. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. Tickets are available for each half-hour time slot, up to two weeks in advance of today\u2019s date, with new tickets released every Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>\n

The museum now will be open from 10 a.m.-8:45 p.m. on Fridays and from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. It will be closed from Tuesday-Thursday each week.<\/p>\n

Some of the featured exhibits are \u201cExpanded Painting in the 1960s and 1970s,\u201d\u00a0\u201cArt of Care,\u201d \u201cFault Lines: Contemporary Abstraction by Artists from South Asia,\u201d \u201cHorace Pippin: From War to Peace,\u201d\u00a0\u201cThe Gross Clinic\u201d\u00a0by Thomas Eakins,\u201d \u201cK\u014dgei: Art Craft Japan,\u201d\u00a0\u201cBaroque: The Art of Drama\u201d and \u201cGhosts and Fragments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Admission is $25 for adults, $23 for seniors, $14 for students and free for Youths (18 and under).<\/p>\n

The Barnes Museum (2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia,\u00a0www.barnesfoundation.org<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) is another Philly museum that had its resurrection at the start of the new year. It opened with \u201cElijah Pierce\u2019s America\u201d as the featured exhibition.<\/p>\n

\u201cElijah Pierce\u2019s America\u201d\u00a0presents the exceptional work of self-taught woodcarver Elijah Pierce (1892\u20131984), known best for a tour-de-force volume of biblical scenes. His carvings depict remarkable narratives — religious parables, autobiographical scenes, episodes from American politics — and sometimes include figures from popular culture and sports.<\/p>\n

Admission is $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and $5 for youth.<\/p>\n

The Penn Museum (3260 South Street, Philadelphia,\u00a0www.penn.museum<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) is presenting exhibitions for live visitors and in virtual format for those who prefer to stay home.<\/p>\n

Some of the museum\u2019s featured exhibits are \u201cLiving with the Sea \u2013 Charting the Pacific,\u201d \u201cThe Artifact Lab,\u201d \u201cCommunity Spotlight,\u201d \u201cInvisible Beauty \u2013 The Art of Archaeological Science,\u201d and \u201cAncient Egypt.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are also a variety of specialized galleries devoted to Egypt, Greece, Africa, Mexico & Central America, Sphinx, Native America Voices, Asia, Rome, Canaan & Ancient Israel, Middle East and Etruscan.<\/p>\n

Admission is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $13 for children (ages 6-12).<\/p>\n

The Museum of the American Revolution (101 South Third Street, Philadelphia,\u00a0www.amrevmuseum.org<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) reopened last month after a long closure because of the COVID-19 shutdown in Philly.<\/p>\n

Visitors can take a deeper dive into untold stories of the Revolution\u00a0with the Museum\u2019s\u00a0new\u00a0Finding Freedom\u00a0digital\u00a0interactive<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, which explores\u00a0the stories of enslaved people of African descent who followed different paths to\u00a0freedom during the Revolutionary War.<\/p>\n

Admission to the Museum is Adults, $21; Youth (6-17), $13; Children (5 and under), free; Seniors (65 and up), Students & Teachers, and Military, $18.<\/p>\n

The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia,\u00a0www.ansp.org<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) reopened with a new exhibition and the continuation of a wildlife photography exhibit.<\/p>\n

The Academy\u2019s new exhibit \u2013 \u201cPermian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs\u201d \u2013 <\/em><\/b>shows the species that predated dinosaurs.<\/p>\n

Visitors to the museum can step back in time 290 million years to when bizarre-looking creatures dominated life on land and sea, and dinosaurs had not yet evolved. They can also learn about the most devastating mass extinction the world has ever seen when\u00a0<\/strong><\/i>\u201cPermian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs\u201d takes up a year-long residence at the Academy.<\/p>\n

The exhibit\u00a0<\/strong><\/i>blends vivid artwork, amazing fossils and full-size scientifically accurate models of moving beasts to recreate this relatively unknown period that ended with the most devastating extinction of life. Visitors will explore odd-looking sharks,\u00a0strange reptilelike precursors of mammals, a vicious giant saber-toothed gorgonopsid, and other extinct creatures that ruled the world millions of years before the dinosaurs.<\/p>\n

\u201cPermian Monsters: Life Before the Dinosaurs\u201d\u00a0will be on view through January 17, 2022.\u00a0 \u201cWildlife Photographer of the Year,\u201d which is l<\/em><\/b>ocated in the museum\u2019s new natural-light-filled gallery,\u00a0will be on view through February 15.<\/p>\n

Admission is $22 for adults, $19 for seniors and $18 for children (ages 2-12).<\/p>\n

Wonderspaces\u00a0at the Fashion District (27 North 11th Street, Philadelphia,\u00a0philadelphia.<\/em><\/strong>wonderspaces.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) is an experiential, interactive arts venue.<\/p>\n

Building on the success of annual pop-up shows in San Diego, and its first permanent location in Scottsdale, Arizona,\u00a0Wonderspaces\u00a0opened a 24,000 square foot gallery space in Philly a year ago.<\/p>\n

Wonderspaces\u00a0features 14 art installations that all play with the idea of perspective.\u00a0 The artwork ranges from award-winning virtual reality short film about a dinner party-turned-alien abduction, to a room where visitors digitally paint the walls with the movement of their bodies.<\/p>\n

New artworks rotate in every few months, creating an ever-evolving, year-round show.<\/p>\n

Tickets are for entry at a specific date and time. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they please during operating hours.\u00a0The average time spent experiencing the show is 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

A few installations contain flashing lights, images, and patterns that may trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. All visitors must sign a waiver prior to being admitted into the space. Adult supervision is required for visitors under 16.<\/p>\n

A fun destination for families can be found in nearby Lower Bucks County.<\/p>\n

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com<\/em><\/strong><\/a>) is a festive, family-friendly celebration with everyone\u2019s favorite Sesame Street friends live and in-person at the amusement park in Langhorne.<\/p>\n

\u201cElmo\u2019s Furry Fun Fest\u201d is running through March 21.<\/p>\n

This new event series will offer guests brand new, limited capacity special events where they can celebrate everyone\u2019s favorite red monster during\u00a0Elmo\u2019s Rockin\u2019 Birthday Bash, treat little loves to a fun day during the\u00a0My Fuzzy Valentine\u2019s Celebration, let the good times roll during the park\u2019s family-friendly\u00a0Mardi Gras Celebration, grab cozy jammies to celebrate our favorite feathered friend\u2019s birthday at\u00a0Big Bird\u2019s Pajama Party<\/p>\n

Guests can enjoy these fun-filled, safe, and family-friendly events with everyone\u2019s favorite Sesame Street\u00ae friends. Guests can ride the Count\u2019s Fly By, Count\u2019s Cruisers, and the Sunny Day Carousel during the event plus enjoy fun activities including Elmo\u2019s Balloon Scavenger Hunt, a Furry Friends Dance Party, and a different themed character dining experience each weekend (additional charge and reservations are required).<\/p>\n

Additionally, everyone\u2019s favorite Neighborhood Birthday Party Parade will have everyone dancing and singing along with Elmo, Cookie Monster, Abby Cadabby, Count von Count, Bert, Ernie, Zoe, Rosita and Big Bird!<\/p>\n

The event schedule features \u201cBig Bird\u2019s Pajama Party\u201d on\u00a0March 20 and 21.<\/p>\n

Home or away, don\u2019t forget to celebrate \u201cPi Day\u201d on March 14.<\/p>\n

Pi (often represented by the lower-case Greek letter \u03c0), one of the most well-known mathematical constants, is the ratio of a circle\u2019s circumference to its diameter.\u00a0 For any circle, the distance around the edge is a little more than three times the distance across.<\/p>\n

Typing \u03c0 into a calculator and pressing “enter” will yield the result 3.141592654 — not because this value is exact, but because a calculator\u2019s display is often limited to 10 digits.<\/p>\n

Pi is actually an irrational number (a decimal with no end and no repeating pattern) that is most often approximated with the decimal 3.14 or the fraction 227.<\/p>\n

The North American record for digits of Pi recited belongs to Upper Darby\u2019s Marc Umile who recited more than 15,000 digits from memory in 2007. The official world record is held by Lu Chao of China who recited more than 67,000 digits in 2015.<\/p>\n

If you visit a bakery this weekend, you might want to purchase a freshly baked pie to enjoy on \u201cPi Day\u201d (even though \u201cPie Day\u201d was already celebrated this year on January 23). While you are there, you could also get some Irish soda bread to get ready for St. Patrick\u2019s Day on Wednesday.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Amazingly, it was a year ago when COVID-19\u2019s destructive path began to evidence itself all across the United States. On Friday the 13th in 2020, things started to shut down in response to the newly arrived pandemic. Because of Coronavirus, doors were beginning to close. But the doors […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36729,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[2621,6518,11135,12763,4742,84,8671,4548],"class_list":["post-36737","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-chaddsford-winery","tag-featured","tag-franklin-institute","tag-historic-odessa","tag-linvilla-orchards","tag-longwood-gardens","tag-philadelphia-museum-of-art","tag-winterthur"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36737","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36737"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36737\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36742,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36737\/revisions\/36742"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36737"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36737"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36737"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}