The magic of the Brandywine Railroad has returned to Brandywine River Museum of Art this season. Individuals on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorder and their families are invited to visit for after-hours access to the Museum’s Brandywine Railroad, a holiday favorite featuring trains running on 2,000 feet of track with more than 1,000 pieces, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, and even a carnival and a drive-in movie theater. Interactive components are also incorporated into the display, operated by buttons and foot pedals that allow for further engagement. Also on view is a Victorian dollhouse, which features eleven rooms filled with hundreds of miniature objects that will delight visitors of all ages as well as four trees decorating with Brandywine Critters, ornaments made from natural materials. Created in conjunction with local families and occupational therapists, this inclusive and accessible program strives to provide a welcoming experience through offering:
- Pre-visit social stories
- Reduced crowding and noise
- On-hand support of skilled and friendly volunteers
- Sensory regulation tools, such as fidgets, noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, and a break area
This program welcomes participants of all ages and their families (siblings welcome!). To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for all, this year’s program will have a limited capacity and timed admission.
