Maine State Museum Presents: April School Vacation Family Activities

Maine State Museum Presents: April School Vacation Family Activities


AUGUSTA, ME - During April school vacation week, the Maine State Museum in Augusta offers activities for the whole family to enjoy.  These opportunities for hands-on exploration and family fun are suitable for all ages and are free with the price of museum admission.

Saturday, April 14

11:00 a.m. The Maine Squeeze Accordion Ensemble  - Join the Maine Squeeze for foot-tapping music from around the world.  How about a polka, a tarantella, or a line dance?  Sing along to old-time favorites or listen to much-loved French Canadian, Cajun, and Zydeco tunes.  Participation encouraged.  Free museum admission all day!

 Tuesday, April 17

9:30-1:00 Book Signing & 11:00 Reading of Children’s Book “Baxter in the Blaine House – Baxter is a Jack Russell terrier who lives with Gov. LePage and his family in the Blaine House. Find out more about Baxter’s adventures, meet the author Paula Benoit, and get your book signed. Books will be for sale in the Museum Store.

10:00-12:00 History Touch Cart – The History Touch Cart is full of artifacts to be handled and explored with the help of the museum’s educators. Examine historic tools, clothing, and personal items.  Some are recognizable, others are a mystery!
2:00-4:00 Textile Touch Cart – Learn how to card wool, see a drop spindle in action, and examine how a loom works. The Textile Touch Cart is full of wool, cotton, flax, and if you look really hard you may even find a silk worm cocoon! These fibers, fabrics, yarns, and much, much more are available to be handled and examined with the guidance of the museum’s educators.
Wednesday, April 18

10:00-12:00 & 2:00-4:00 Curator’s Corner – Join the museum’s history curators in exploring a variety of historic Maine artifacts. Or bring in your own mystery object from your attic, basement, or barn and they will try and identify it for you.

Thursday, April 19 & Friday, April 20

10:00-12:00 At Home in Maine Attic Games – Families are invited to explore the At Home in Maine exhibit, relax in the attic, and play some old-fashioned and classic games.

Paper Quilts: Flower Garden Patterns – Take a closer look at the latest quilt on view in the At Home in Maine exhibit, “Memory Bouquet Variations” made in 1923 by Annie Mason Bates of Dexter, Maine. This quilt is full of spring flowers! After viewing this beautiful quilt, design your own flower garden quilt out of paper.
12:00-3:00   THURSDAY ONLY Book Signing & 1:00 Reading of Children’s Book “Baxter in the Blaine House – Baxter is a Jack Russell terrier who lives with Gov. LePage and his family in the Blaine House.  Find out more about Baxter’s adventures, meet the author Paula Benoit, and get your book signed. Books will be for sale in the Museum Store.

2:00-4:00 History Touch Cart – Our History Touch Cart is full of artifacts to be handled and explored with the help of the museum’s educators. Examine historic tools, clothing, and personal items.  Some are recognizable, others are a mystery!