In the Wood Museum of Springfield History, the interactive Big Games, Big Fun exhibit will feature an 8’ piano, as well as lots of other super-sized fun — including an oversized doll house, a giant Candyland game, a huge Jenga, and a big Connect-4!

The Wood Museum is the perfect home for this fun exhibit since Springfield is where Milton Bradley invented the Checkered Game of Life (aka The Game of Life) in 1860.

During the Civil War, local men who enlisted in the Union Army came to Springfield to train in military camps. To provide them with some amusements, Bradley used his lithography press to make game kits that fit in a soldier’s pocket – one of which was the Checkered Game of Life. His business continued to grow after the war, manufacturing popular games and toys in Springfield for more than 100 years. Rhode Island-based Hasbro, Inc. bought the company in 1984, but still sells many games under the Milton Bradley brand.

The exhibit also includes Milton Bradley puzzles, giant Scrabble, and pinball machines showcasing the talents of Northampton’s Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, who created the Ninja Turtles, and Springfield’s Ruth E. Carter, the Academy Award-winning designer who created the costumes for the Black Panther movies.

Did you know that board game history was made in Springfield, Massachusetts? Milton Bradley invented the Checkered Game of Life here in 1860. It’s just one of many games we still play today.

Free with Museums’ admission, the exhibit will remain open until Labor Day.

Springfieldmuseums.org, One Admission/Five Museums,
including the one and only Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum
Parking is always FREE