Friday, August 24, 2018
What to Expect during Your Visit
On Free Fun Friday, sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation, you can enjoy self-guided tours and more at the Emily Dickinson Museum from 10 am to 5 pm. Free Fun Fridays runs June through August with a schedule of participating organizations. Find out more here: http://www.highlandstreet.org/programs/free-fun-fridays
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
The Emily Dickinson Museum consists of 3 acres, 2 historic houses—the Homestead, where the poet was born and lived most of her life, and The Evergreens, the home of the poet’s brother—and the story of 1 exceptional poet! During self-guided tours, knowledgeable guides are on hand to answer your questions. To learn more about our museum, click here.
Inside the Museum buildings, please note the following:
• Photography and video recordings are not permitted inside museum buildings.
• Food and beverages are not permitted inside museum buildings. Visitors will be asked to leave any food and beverages they have outside the museum building before entering.
• For the safety of museum collections, visitors are not permitted to touch museum objects.
• We are delighted to welcome visitors of all ages! Please note: children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult when entering the museum houses. Baby strollers and back carriers are welcome on the grounds but must be left outside when entering the houses. Front carriers are permitted in the houses.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS
On the grounds, visit the craft tent for Dickinson-related crafts and fun for all ages. Test your wits in a scavenger hunt or take a story walk.
“Grounds of Memory,” the museum’s self-guided audio tour of the grounds, will also be available all day. Wands are available on a first-come, first-served basis under the activity tent. (Grounds tour is also available as a cell-phone tour.) You are also welcome to visit the Dickinson gardens, this year featuring a new pollinator patch and fruit orchard.
SHOP
The Museum has a gift shop with Dickinson-related books and other items to delight all shoppers!
Logistics for Enjoying Your Day:
FOOD
While the Museum does not sell food, water is available in the tour center. The Museum is located within easy walking distance to many downtown Amherst eating options. Find your perfect fit here: http://www.amherstdowntown.com/business/food-and-drink/
DIRECTIONS and PARKING
Directions to the Museum from Interstate 91 and the Boston area are available here.
Parking is available in several locations. Amherst College’s Alumni Parking lot (see map) will offer free parking for the day as well as the side streets near the Museum. Look for “Free Fun Friday” parking signs to direct you to the Alumni Lot from Main Street. Metered parking is in effect on Main Street, in front of the Museum. Accessible parking spaces are available, see crossing guard for access. Please note that the Museum driveway is for dropping off passengers and for accessible parking only. All other vehicles must park in the locations described above.
LOST AND FOUND
Lost and Found will be located at the Tour Center desk. Please see attendant if you have lost something during your visit.
ACCESSIBILITY
The Tour Center and first floors of the Homestead and The Evergreens are accessible to all individuals. Because of the historic nature of the two Dickinson houses, neither house includes an elevator to the second floor. Visitors who are unable to use stairs are provided with illustrated notebooks that describe the exhibits upstairs in each house, and guides are available to answer questions about the content of those notebooks.
Due to the wealth of original materials at The Evergreens, visitors with respiratory difficulties may be sensitive to the air quality in the house. The recent addition of air-conditioning has improved air quality.
Service dogs are welcome throughout the property, including both historic houses.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions about your upcoming visit to the Emily Dickinson Museum, please e-mail EDMPrograms[at]EmilyDickinsonMuseum.org
For more information about Free Fun Fridays, visit www.HighlandStreet.org