Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month At Staten Island Children's Museum

The Staten Island Children's Museum will celebrate Hispanic heritage through cooking, painting, an interactive art performance and a science demonstration in September.

Hispanic Heritage Month dates back to 1968. It started as a week-long observation under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. The celebration begins on the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during Hispanic Heritage Month. (https://hispanicmonth.net/)

According to recent U.S. Census numbers, almost 90,000 people, or 18% of Staten Islanders, identify as Hispanic or Latino - the same percentage of the overall U.S. Hispanic or Latino population. (U.S. Census Bureau) These are family members, friends, classmates and neighbors who are part of the fabric of Staten Island.

"We are proud to present these programs but in particular, to share the contributions, cuisine and culture during Hispanic Heritage Month," said Dina Rosenthal, Executive Director of the Staten Island Children's Museum. "We look forward to welcoming all members of the community to enjoy these celebrations throughout the month."

Kicking off the month's theme are ShopRite Kidz Cook sessions on Fridays at 3:00 and 4:00 pm. Young chefs will cook gallo pinto from Costa Rica on September 21 and cheese pupusas from El Salvador on September 28. Sessions are free with admission; tickets will be available at the front desk. (picture attached)

"The Power of Microscopes" is September's Con Edison Second Saturday Science! workshop. Mexican-American physicist (and one-time Staten Island resident) Albert Baez was the co-inventor of the X-ray reflection microscope. Participants will get to learn about his work, identify samples under microscopes and illustrate their findings on Saturday, September 22 from Noon - 1:00 pm. Tickets will be available at the front desk; limited to 25 attendees.

Museum visitors will be part of the art and recreate Lygia Pape's iconic group performance Divisor by wearing an immense white fabric and moving together during this Special Art Workshop, also on Saturday, September 22 at 4:00 pm. Weather permitting, this event will be held outside on the meadow in front of the Children's Museum.

They will also get to explore more of Pape's work in the Weekend Art Studio and create geometric paintings inspired by this versatile artist. The Studio is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.

On Saturday, September 22 from 9:00 - 10:00 am, parents and caregivers will socialize in the Museum's pop-up Play Café (con Leche!) while children, ages 3 - 6, do crafts and other fun activities guided by the staff. The program is free with admission and pre-registration is required; those interested should email: jdudley@sichildrensmuseum.org by Wednesday, September 19 to reserve a spot.

The Children's Museum will celebrate Sukkot, Zman Simchateinu, a time for happiness, during the Jewish holiday of the harvest with two special musical performances from Rabbi Abe Unger & singer Deborah Gross on Thursday, September 27 at 2:00 & 3:00 pm.

The annual Family Emergency Preparedness Festival returns on Saturday, September 29 with free admission to the Children's Museum and Festival from Noon - 5:00 pm. Visitors will get to talk to emergency responders and check out their vehicles & equipment; meet "Ready Girl" and receive a free collector's edition comic book and other giveaways (while supplies last). The NYPD will also be on site with the Operation Safe Child ID program booth, the always-popular rock climbing wall and its Mounted Unit. The Festival is sponsored by the NYC Office of Emergency Management. Please note that Museum does not open until Noon on this day.

The Staten Island Children's Museum is located on the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Gardens, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301. The Museum's summer hours in July and August are Tuesday and Thursday - Sunday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm and on Wednesday from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm. For more information, call 718-273-2060, email info@sichildrensmuseum.org, or visit our website, www.sichildrensmuseum.org.

The Staten Island Children's Museum is housed in a building owned by the City of New York and its operation is made possible, in part, with public funds provided through the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs with support from the Staten Island delegation to the NYC Council. Significant operating support is also provided by the NYS Council on the Arts, Corporations, Foundations, the Trustees and Members.