The Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County invites the community to learn about eclipses through “Eclipse Central,” currently on display at the museum as part of our annual Spring Break Science program. Several different eclipse-themed activities and crafts will be available throughout the building through April 6.
Visitors will be able to explore interactive eclipse models, learn about the planets in our solar system, explore how the distance and relative size of the moon and sun create the conditions for eclipses, make a solar flare flipbook, create their own paper model of a solar eclipse, and more. We also have posters on display that show the path of totality for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8.
Visitors will even have the opportunity to view the sun through a solar telescope, weather permitting, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, courtesy of the Wabash College Physics Department. Also on Saturday, families can make glow-in-the-dark slime at 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. All of these events are free and open to the public.
The Carnegie Museum also has eclipse glasses for sale that will allow people to view the eclipse safely. These glasses are ISO 12312-2 compliant, made in the USA and CE certified. They can be purchased for $2 each.
For those who wish to watch the eclipse with others, the Carnegie Museum and the Children’s Department at the Crawfordsville District Public Library will be hosting a Total Eclipse Viewing Party from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. April 8 at the Pavilion in the library parking lot. The Children’s Department will start things off with a fun activity about planetary orbits, followed by a solar-themed craft. Weather permitting, these activities will take place at the Pavilion, but if it rains, they will be moved inside. No registration is required.
Following the activities, we will gather in the parking lot to watch the eclipse together. Eclipse glasses will be available for those who need them, plus there will be snacks and educational information courtesy of the Carnegie Museum. Bring your own lawn chairs for comfortable viewing. The viewing event is free and open to the public, and no advanced registration is required.
For those who are more interested in the local history part of the Carnegie Museum, we invite you to check out our newest exhibit, “Dearly Departed: Death & Dying in Montgomery County,” which tells the story of the people, businesses, and places that support individuals and their families when dealing with the death of a loved one. Come learn about the growth of area funeral homes, changes in burial traditions, and the varied ways we’ve grieved over the last 200 years. This exhibit will be on display through the end of 2024.
The Carnegie Museum is located at 222 S. Washington St. Admission is free, and the museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The Carnegie Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Kathy Brown is the museum operations coordinator at the Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County.
