Bookmark: The Library’s Museum Pass Program Is the Ticket To a Great Summer
Summer is an ideal time of year to take advantage of the Library’s museum pass program, with free admission to 12 area museums, ranging from the Guggenheim to the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum to Stone Barns. The program also offers discounted admission to the Maritime and Mystic Aquariums. Whether you or your family members are into Stanley Kubrick and Georgia O’Keeffe, making art and Alberto Giacometti, or albino alligators and beluga whales, the museum pass program has something to offer.
How does the program work? The program is open to adult Pelham cardholders. They can borrow a pass for three days – one day to pick it up at the Library circulation desk, one day to use it and one day to return it to the circulation desk. To reserve a pass, go to this link and input your Library card information. By clicking on an individual museum, you can get pass details, reserve your pass, and get connected to the museum website where you can view visitor, exhibit and program information. In most cases, one pass will cover multiple people, and some also offer gift shop discounts. (There may be an additional fee for some special exhibitions.)
Here are some of this summer’s highlights, but check each museum’s website more about what’s going on at each:
Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT: The National Geographic Photo Ark, now through September 2. The Museum is featuring this photo exhibition, which, according to the museum website, aims, “to document every species living in wildlife sanctuaries, inspire action through education, and help save wildlife by supporting on-the-ground conservation efforts.”
Children’s Museum of Manhattan, New York: Art, Artists & You, now through December 31. This is a chance for people of all ages to explore themselves through making art! Contemporary artists lead this program – and provide inspiration.
The Frick Collection, New York: Canova’s George Washington, now through September 23. This exhibit explores this work by sculptor Antonio Canova, depicting George Washington in Roman garb.
The Guggenheim Museum, New York: Giacometti, though September 12. This show features over 200 works by the Swiss artist Alberto Giacometti. (Extra fee may be needed.)
Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, NY: Hip Hop: Abstract Elements, Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21. A dance workshop will be led on Saturday, and Sunday will feature a performance by Elijah “E Solo” Soto.
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, New York: On the Line: Intrepid and the Vietnam War. This exhibit covers the Vietnam War through the perspective of Intrepid’s three tours of duty there in the late 1960s.
Katonah Museum of Art, Katonah, NY: This museum has just introduced art labels for kids, which explain art to children in entertaining ways – and at eye level.
Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk, CT: Now through Labor Day, the Aquarium has a rare albino alligator on display and a stuffed animal Care-ium, where young children can “diagnose” stuffed animals – and even treat them.
Museum of the City of New York, New York: Through a Different Lens – Stanley Kubrick Photographs, now through October 28. Before he was an acclaimed movie director, Kubrick was a photographer; this exhibit features 120 of his New York photographs from the Look magazine archive.
Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT: Mystic boasts the largest outdoor beluga whale exhibit in the U.S., and also features sea lions, sharks, African penguins and more.
Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase, NY: After lending out some of its renowned collection to a national tour, the Neuberger has recently welcomed home works by Willem de Kooning, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, among others.
New York City Fire Museum, New York: The exhibit FDNY in the 1970s features pictures and artifacts from one of New York’s most turbulent (and fiery) decades. In fact, between 1960 and 1970, the number of fires more than doubled to over 127,000.
Stamford Museum and Nature Center, Stamford, CT: Edible Science, on Sundays through August 19. Find out why marshmallows turn brown over a fire and more! (There will also be cooking – and eating!)
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Pocantico Hills, NY. Library passes are available for Saturdays and Sundays only, and there are activities through November. Visitors can collect eggs, meet the bees, attend a lettuce tasting and explore this ever-innovating sustainable, non-profit local farm and education center.
The museum pass program is not only a wonderful resource, but a reminder that the Library gives Pelham much more than books.
