August 21, 2015
10 am – 5 pm
sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation
Join us for Free Fun Fridays at the Emily Dickinson Museum on Friday, August 21! Sponsored by the Highland Street Foundation, this annual summer program opens doors at no cost to visitors at many of the most treasured cultural venues in Massachusetts. This year, 70 museums and cultural venues are participating. Read on for tips on how to make your Free Fun Friday at the Emily Dickinson Museum the most fun possible!
Hours
On Free Fun Friday, the Emily Dickinson Museum is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
What to Expect during Your Visit
THE MUSEUM
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! To learn more about our museum, click here.
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
On Free Fun Friday you can enjoy self-guided tours of the Homestead and The Evergreens from 10 am to 5 pm; Museum guides will be on hand to answer questions.
Inside the Museum buildings, please note the following:
- Photography and video recordings are not permitted inside museum buildings.
- Use of computer equipment and cellular telephones are not permitted when visitors are on a guided house tour.
- 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 museum houses.
GARDENS AND GROUNDS
On the grounds, visit the craft tent for Dickinson-related crafts, including a conservatory activity, fun for all ages. A scavenger hunt is also available for children up to age 12.
“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 vegetables grown by the Dickinson family.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS
The day will also include special programs. Guided architecture walks, exploring the history of the Homestead and Evergreens, will be offered at 10:30 am and 2 pm. At Noon, author Burleigh Muten will read from her children’s book, Miss Emily. All programs are free.
SHOP
The Museum also has a gift shop with wonderful Dickinson-related books and other items appropriate for all shoppers.
Logistics for Enjoying Your Day
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.
FOOD
Although the Museum does not have formal picnic facilities, visitors are welcome to eat food and drink on the grounds. Food and drink are not permitted inside either the Homestead or The Evergreens. The Museum does not have a food service facility, but bottled water will be for sale. The Museum is within easy walking distance of many dining establishments in the center of Amherst.
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 individuals with mobility challenges. 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 and other staff are happy 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.