It’s that time of year again! It’s the dead of New England winter and children and teens are about to be on February school vacation. For parents itching to get their families out of the house, Teak’s clients offer out-of-classroom learning experiences for all ages that also support charitable causes across the region. Check these out!
Connect lessons from our nation’s founding to present day at Old North Church & Historic Site.
Located in the heart of Boston’s North End neighborhood, the national landmark, the Old North Church & Historic Site, will open its doors, which are typically closed to the public, from Feb. 17 through Feb. 24 between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (12:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday). Known for “One if by land, and two if by sea,” and the midnight ride of Paul Revere, Boston’s oldest surviving church, the Old North Church, is a symbol of American independence and active citizenship. It is discussed in history and civics classrooms nationwide. Families can visit Old North Church & Historic Site, designated a Site of Conscious in 2023, to get an in-depth look into our nation’s founding while also discovering the origins of Old North Church and its ongoing role in shaping America’s past and present. With a new exhibit, “Sparking Revolutions: Lanterns, Leadership, and the Evolving Legacy of Old North Church,” group and self-guided tours, and retail experience featuring American-made products from BIPOC- and women-owned businesses, the Old North campus offers something for everyone. Tickets will be offered at $5 per person which includes general admission and the audio guide. A special $10 bundle will include a self-guided tour of the crypt. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, visit: www.oldnorth.com.
One of the informational panels inside of The Old North Church and Historic Site’s box pews. David L. Ryan/Boston Globe Staff
Explore different perspectives on race, femininity, inequity, and identity through the Lorraine O’Grady: Both/And exhibition at the newly reopened Davis Museum at Wellesley College.
A vital resource for communities on the Wellesley College campus and beyond, the Davis Museum is one of the oldest and most acclaimed academic fine art museums in the United States. The institution recently re-opened its doors (after being closed for over a year due to renovations of their HVAC system) with the highly anticipation exhibition Lorraine O’Grady: Both/And. The showcase, which spans collage, photo-installation, performance, and video, represents a homecoming for the artist in her hometown and at her alma mater, where she was one of only a few Black women in the class of 1955. O’Grady, now 89 years old, started her art career at the age of 45, after having lived many lives: government analyst, translator, rock critic, educator, and writer. “Both/And” is the first retrospective of her work, challenging the concept of “either/or” thinking. The exhibition, which is free, runs through June 2. For more information, visit: www.wellesley.edu/davismuseum.
The Davis Museum’s exhibition Lorraine O’Grady: Both/And. on view now.
Discover life below sea level and how you can protect our oceans at the New England Aquarium.
With extended hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from February 19 to 23, the New England Aquarium is ready to host youth and families with animal encounters, a new café menu, films on the largest screen in New England, opportunities to get involved in advocacy efforts, and more. Guests can enjoy daily presentations with the penguins, sea lions, and harbor seals, along with the residents of the Giant Ocean Tank, and can meet its newest residents: two California sea lions, Gio and Farley, and a nurse shark, Cirri. Special encounters with its resident Atlantic harbor seals will also be available. The Aquarium’s Simons Theatre will show “ARCTIC: Our Frozen Planet,” a 45-minute documentary that captures a year-long adventure across the seasons in the Arctic—and the subsequent impact our changing climate has had on it. Guests are encouraged to stop by the Blue Planet Action Center during their visit to learn more about the Aquarium’s sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation program and write to their members of Congress to encourage their support of these critical conservation efforts. When hungry, guests can enjoy a full meal or a quick bite at its café, offering an environmentally-friendly dining atmosphere, along with visitor education around sustainable initiatives. To reserve your timeslot, guests are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance at www.neaq.org/visit/tickets/.
Farley, a 15-year-old male California sea lion, sticking out his tongue at New England Aquarium. Vanessa Kahn/New England Aquarium
In Massachusetts, a state known for its rich history, architecture and culture, there is no shortage of learning opportunities when school doors are closed. We hope you’ll consider visiting some of Teak’s clients February school vacation, knowing the cost of your admission helps to further their missions of preserving history, the arts, marine animals, and our planet, just to name a few. For a complete list of Teak’s current clients, click here.
