LONGMONT, Colo. – Following the success of the summer 2013 exhibition, Build: The Amazing World of LEGO, the Longmont Museum will open Planes, Trains, and Automobiles, a family oriented, summer special exhibition of hands-on activities and classic models. The exhibition, which fills the Museum’s main gallery, opens on May 24 and runs through September 14, 2014.

One section of the exhibition will be filled with the sounds of children as they explore a variety of hands-on exhibits. They include creating a paper airplane and launching it with a blast of compressed air; racing Hot Wheels and Matchbox cars down a series of hairpin turns at scale speeds approaching 300 miles per hour; trying out a flight simulator for model airplanes; assembling model cars from a variety of wooden parts; building a bridge and racing cars across it; and creating a train track layout and running wooden trains on it.

“The hands-on activities are not only fun, they teach basic principles like action and reaction, size and scale, and modeling,” said Longmont Museum director Wesley Jessup. “As a parent myself, I’m looking forward to seeing my own children enjoy this exhibition.”

A second section of the exhibition displays a range of model planes, trains, and automobiles. Six-foot long model radio-controlled airplanes hang from the ceiling; accurate re-creations of historic Colorado mining railroads move on their tracks; and model cars from the 1910s to today look ready to race once again.  More than 100 models will be on exhibit.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is supported by grants from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District of Metro Denver and from Visit Longmont.

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Unless noted, programs take place at the Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road, Longmont CO 80501, 303-651-8374.

Exhibition Opening for Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Friday, May 23, 6-8 pm, $5, free for members.

Enjoy light refreshments and take a first look at the new exhibit.

 

Family Celebration for Planes, Trains and Automobiles   

Ribbon-Cutting for Level 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Saturday May 24, 11 am – 3 pm, free

Join us for a family friendly celebration of our hands-on summer exhibit! Activities include crafts for kids and a gallery scavenger hunt. Plus, see and drive some awesome electric vehicles during the ribbon cutting for the only Level 3 “quick charge” electric vehicle charging station in Longmont, located here at the Museum!

Curator Conversations

Tuesdays at noon, May 27 – Sept. 9, included with exhibition admission

Guided tours of the exhibition, led by a Museum curator.

BookCycle visits

Sundays, June 1 and 29, July 6 and 20, August 3 and 17, 2-4pm, free, open to all ages, no registration required

This summer the Longmont Public Library will bring a selection of books available for checkout to the museum on their brand new BookCycle, a miniature library on wheels! Come get a Library card, check out a book and admire the new wheels!

 

Spellbinders Story Time

Saturdays, June 14, July 12, August 9 and September 13, 1-2:30pm, free, open to all ages, no registration required

Library Spellbinders storytellers will share stories relating to the special exhibit Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Come and be enchanted by their wonderful words and vivid tales!

 

L.E.A.F. Beginning Flyers Event

Saturdays, June 14, July 12, Aug. 9, Sept 13, 10am—1pm

Longmont Electric Aircraft Flyers club and HobbyTown USA are hosting a series of Introductory Flights from May to Mid-October 2014 to acquaint people with flying remote control aircrafts.

Held at the airfield at the south side of the Union Reservoir, advance registration required, call Longmont HobbyTown to register at 303-774-1557

 Open House for families with children on the Autism Spectrum

Sunday, July 6, Noon-1 pm, open to all ages,  Free

Enjoy free admission to the Planes, Trains, and Automobiles exhibit, refreshments and crafts as well as access to special ASD Library/Museum resources. Please register for this event by contacting the Children and Teen Services at Longmont Library, 303-651-8477.

 

Cacklefest 2014, Sponsored by the ColoRODans

Saturday, July 26, 7-9 pm

Free, open to all ages, no registration required

Hear the rumble of classic old dragsters as the ColoRODans bring Cacklefest 2014 to the Longmont Museum.

 

Georgetown Loop Railroad Day Trip

Sunday July 27, Noon- 6pm, 3-15 years old $36, 16 and over $45, children under 3 years old who sit on an adult’s lap are free.

All aboard! The beauty of the rugged Rocky Mountains surrounds you as an old-time steam locomotive winds up the Clear Creek Canyon. Pass by remains of gold and silver mines and breathtaking views along the line. This day trip will be great family fun for all ages!

Advance registration required online or by calling 303-651-8374

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE LONGMONT MUSEUM

 The Longmont Museum & Cultural Center is located at 400 Quail Road in Longmont, Colorado. Museum hours are 9 am to 5 pm, Monday through Saturday, and 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday. Admission to the Museum’s special exhibits is $5 for adults, $3 for students/seniors (62+) and free for children 3 and under. Admission is free to special exhibits on the second Saturday of the month. For more information, contact the Museum at 303-651-8374.

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