Springfield Museums — Attraction in Springfield

My family and I visited the Smith Museum at around 1:30 PM today (May 27th 2025) and we had an upsetting experience that unfortunately ruined what should have been a pleasant outing.

While visiting the sculptures exhibit (the green room with mostly Roman sculptures) My uncle, who is visiting from another country, politely asked a museum staff member — possibly a facilities worker — if a certain exhibit area was open. The staff member responded in a condescending tone, saying “Speak English,” and was immediately rude and dismissive. When I stepped in to clarify that my uncle was just asking a simple question, the employee shouted “Can’t you read the sign?” and slammed the door in out faces.

We reported the incident to museum security, and a security manager came to address it. The staff member, however, deflected blame, refused to take accountability, and falsely accused my uncle of being “uncooperative.” When I asked the security manager how my uncle could be considered uncooperative just for asking a question, the manager simply said he was relaying the staff’s version of events.

This entire encounter was deeply hurtful. It made us feel that our differences weren’t welcome — a disappointing message in a city as diverse as Springfield. To be treated so rudely and dismissively by museum staff was shocking and ultimately ruined our day.

So, if you happen to be a person with a heavy accent, or if English is not your first language I suggest being mindful that there is a chance you may come across racist, intolerant and unwelcoming staff/workers at this museum.

I hope the museum reflects on this situation seriously. Everyone deserves to be treated with basic respect, especially in a public institution that should celebrate culture...

I went with my spouse and young boys to the dinosaur stomp, chomp & roar week and my boys had a blast at all the exhibits. Seeing buddy from dinosaur train was truly a highlight of their day! As we went on our way back nearly ready to leave after all the fun activities and exhibits, we noticed that the dj had arrived and let our two children go in to dance. My 5 year old seen that the only two dancing children in there were dancing with blow up dinosaurs and that two more were on a table. He grabbed one to dance around with as well and not long after he ran back to grab another for his brother who is 3yrs. Well the moment he gave him this blow up dino, you can hear DJ Marty Fullwood say on his microphone "thanks for asking" in the most rude sarcastic tone to my 5 year old. So as disgusted as me and my partner were, my husband put back those blow up dinosaurs and turned toward that door with our children and you can hear him say "thanks for coming". We let an employee know by the elevator on our way out about our experience that made us leave on a bad note with the Springfield Museum. The museum itself and all the activities we did were enjoyable to my kids and us. But Dj Marty Fullwood spoiled our day for treating our 5 year old that just wanted to include his 3 year old brother in a unessesary rude manner. Didn't know you had to ask or wait for him to call on you for some ridiculous blow up dinos when only 2 kids...

We visited Springfield just to check out the museums, the Dr Seuss one in particular my kids were really excited about! The Springfield museums did not disappoint, there are 2 art museums, a natural science museum and the Dr Seuss museum and a history museum that we did not visit because after almost 4 hours of visiting different museums one of my kids has had enough. Something to consider when visiting with little ones, there’s a lot to see and while convenient that there’s so much to see in one area maybe breaking it up into different days might work best for some families. The museums are free for Springfield residents, all others can pay a flat fee ($25/adults) and you’ll get a wrist band that allows you to visit all 5 museums. We got to visit for free since we are members at a different museum in our home state that is part of the ASTC network. We found free street parking but there is also a parking lot you can use adjacent to the museums. The welcome center is where you need to go to get your tickets/ wristband, make sure to stop there first. There is also a small but lovely sculpture garden with Dr Seuss themed statues. My kids loved the Dr Seuss museum but our favorite was the museum of fine arts, even my kids were blown away by some of the art work in their contemporary art exhibit. Definitely worth a visit!! We visited on a Sunday around noon, it was definitely busy but not...