Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler is offering a variety of free programs this month. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Mondays. Information: 480-782-2717 or chandlermuseum.org.
Adult Programs
History Bites Lunchtime Talks
Highlights from Chandler’s
Sports Hall of Fame
Noon-12:30 p.m. Feb. 4
Over the years Chandler has produced a number of successful athletes that have gone on to excel at the professional level.
Since 2004 the Chandler Sports Hall of Fame has inducted athletes, coaches, and teams to recognize their success and accomplishments. Hear some of the highlights of those star inductees including Cameron Jordan, Eddie Wilson, Lyndsey Fry, and Cody Bellinger.
Get a taste of Chandler history during 30-minute talks led by museum curators. Feel free to bring your lunch.
Our Stories
Death and Diamonds: The Story
of Samuel Soldinger
10:30 a.m. Feb. 29
Born into a Jewish family in Poland in 1924, Samuel Soldinger found himself and his family confined to the Krakow Ghetto after the Germans invaded. While everyone around him died, Samuel survived the Holocaust working in Oskar Schindler’s factory.
After the war he learned to cut diamonds and moved to New York City.
He arrived in Chandler, Arizona in 1962 to manage the new Harry Winston diamond manufacturing plant on Pecos Rd. Collections Coordinator Nate Meyers will share Samuel’s dramatic story.
For kids and families
C-Town Suitcase Club
10 a.m.-11 a.m. Feb. 18
This program, for 3-5-year-olds and their caregivers, explores everyday objects from the past and how they compare to today. The group “travels” through time enjoying musical, hands-on and theme-based activities. No registration necessary. This month’s topic is news. Extra, Extra, Hear all about it! How was news shared before the internet and cell phones? We will make our own newspapers and pretend to be newscasters and journalists on TV.
Stem Saturday
11a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 8
Join the Chandler museum and the Museum of Science and Sustainability for investigations into science topics.
This month’s topic is “Sink or float.” Which plastics sink and which plastics float? If you were a marine animal, which would you prefer? Come dunk different plastic grades and see what happens to plastic over time.
Demonstration Day
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 15
Experience a historical craft, demonstration or performance
with our special guests.
This month the topic is leather tooling with Wesley Bennett, who was employed at a local leather company and will share his trade and the skills needed to tool, cut, stamp and dye leather creations.
aMUSEment
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 22
A day of play, historical games, fun and merriment at the MUSEum. This month’s topic is “Puzzled and BeMUSEd.” Puzzles galore in all shapes and sizes. Come try your hand at fitting together various puzzle pieces and types.
Exhibits
History of Walls: The Borders
We Build, Through March 1
For as long as there have been nations, those nations have built walls. This exhibit explores four significant historic walls built by nation-states – the Great Wall of China, the Berlin Wall, the Israel/West Bank Barrier, and the US/Mexico Border Wall – by way of understanding these feats of architecture in their historical, cultural, and political context.
The exhibit explores each wall through words, images, video, and written interactives. Presented in both English and Spanish. This is an Overland Traveling Exhibit.
Gaman: Enduring Japanese American Internment at Gila River
Through April 19
During World War II over 16,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from the west coast to Gila River Internment Camp, near Chandler, simply because they looked like the enemy.
This poignant exhibit demonstrates how the Japanese value gaman, enduring the seemingly impossible with patience and dignity, guided these American citizens, through loss and incarceration in the Arizona desert.
See the photos, hear the stories, read the names of those incarcerated, and view the community contributed paper cranes in this transformative exhibition.
Docent Tours
Free 45-minute tours led by our volunteer docents. The tour will give you insights into the architectural and artistic components of the museum campus as well as details about Chandler’s history.
Each Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m.
To join the team: Contact Linda.Voss@chandleraz.gov.
East Valley History Center
Open weekly to researchers. The museum’s archival materials are available through the help of a research assistant. Each Thursday 2-5 p.m.