The Joy & Wonder of Miniatures: BeDazzled by Puppets

The fascination of intricately hand-carved puppets is an added  “BeDazzled” feature to the next opening of Hearthside Museum’s The Joy & Wonder of Miniatures exhibit on Saturday, July 27th.  Internationally acclaimed Dan Butterworth brings his lively, carnival type show of exquisite marionettes as they dance and whirl around the colorful outdoor stage to entertain guests of all ages.

The miniatures exhibit includes a self-guided tour through two floors of the museum, with informative guides in period attire to assist.  The displays feature small scale replicas of everyday items and models with fine intricate details and include a wide variety of items from trains, planes and automobiles to dollhouses, books, and games. A scavenger hunt adds to the fun of exploring the exhibit.

For over 30 years, Butterworth has been producing props, puppets, movie sets, carnival and circus displays, special events, musicals, plays and hosting classes and professional seminars.  His performances are innovative, fun, interactive, and stimulating.  They mystify and amaze to inspire young and adult minds at the same time.  Dan Butterworth has been honored with the Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Dan Butterworth’s Marionette Show was originally scheduled for the BeWitched & BeDazzled festival that was cancelled last fall.  All his shows are a customized celebration,  so it will complement the miniatures exhibit with the same kind of wonder and delight it brings to all ages.

The marionette show includes two performances scheduled at noon and at 2:30 p.m. under a tent on the grounds.  And as a special treat, a Butterworth puppet workshop will be presented in between performances.  Refreshments, a raffle, and a miniature make-and-take craft activity are also part of the festivities.

The hours for the event are from 11 am-3:30 pm.  Tickets for both the miniatures exhibit and the marionette show are available through hearthsidehouse.org.  Children ages 9 and under are free, youth 10-17 are $10, and adults are $15 for participating in both.  Advance reservation and ticket purchase is recommended since space is limited.  Ticketing is also available for admission to just the exhibit for $12 adult, or in combination with the performance and miniature Make-and-Take, or just select activities.  Tickets may also be purchased at the door if space is available.  For questions, email [email protected] or 726-0597.

Hearthside is an award-winning museum that is managed by the Friends of Hearthside, whose mission is to preserve the historic house as well as the other sites at the Great Road Heritage Campus at Chase Farm Park.