What To Do This Week?

If you are able to take the kids out and about this mid-winter break, here's a couple of good ideas.

One, MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry) has what sounds like a great exhibit of materials about Lincoln (including his hat!). Great NW history like:

"Chances are you also heard nothing about the Knights of the Golden Circle, a militant secret society that wanted to turn parts of the West, including Washington Territory, into a pro-Confederacy nation called the Pacific Republic.

In fact, the "distant" Civil War loomed so large around Puget Sound that jittery citizens asked the U.S. Navy to send a war steamer to protect Washington waters from potential attack by Confederate privateers."

WHEN: Through April 20

WHERE: Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E.

SPECIAL EVENT: Living History Day on Saturday will feature an authentic wartime camp, spinning demonstration, tea with "President Lincoln" and other events. Outdoor activities are free; indoor demonstrations require museum admission.

HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily (till 8 p.m. on first Thursdays)

Also,

SAM (Seattle Art Museum) has a wonderful exhibit of:

The Gates of Paradise: Lorenzo Ghiberti's Renaissance Masterpiece
January 26–April 6, 2008
SAM Third Floor Galleries

These are huge bronze panels from the Duomo (cathedral) in Florence (really it's Firenze), Italy that depict the Old Testament. I have seen them in Florence and they are just a tremendous piece of art. The opportunity to see them close-up (they are normally hung higher on the walls) is tremendous; only 4 US cities (including Seattle) are exhibiting them and then they return to the Duomo for good.

They are having a special Saturday (today) event for this exhibit for kids. Children 12 and under are free.

Also, if you haven't taken your kids to see the outdoor Olympic Sculpture Park, it's great and they can run around. It's at 2901 Western Avenue and it's free! (Caveat: some of the sculptures can be touched and others can't - it's somewhat confusing and, of course, to kids anything outside begs to be touched.)

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