Dr. Spooky's Animal Museum

Agawam couple create unique educational experience

By Lori O'Brien,Correspondent

SOUTH DEERFIELD An enterprising Agawam couple have created an educational experience that they feel is like no other in the country.

Dr. Spooky's Animal Museum, created by the imaginative minds of Frank and Cathleen Campiti, takes visitors on a walk through a mysterious landscape that is reminiscent of a fantasy movie.

Paw prints lead visitors on a self-guided educational experience that features fast facts on every animal group from single-celled animals to primates. Live animals on display are numerous and include a carpet python, scorpions, Madagascan hissing cockroaches, flying squirrels, eels and bats. All animals are meticulously showcased in their natural habitat.

The intricate design work of tree limbs with spider webs and mysterious faces was created to keep a child's attention, according to Frank Campiti, who provided a behind-the-scenes tour during a recent Saturday afternoon.

Campiti explained that the couple spent seven months researching the 10 major animal groups that are featured at the museum. Additionally, Campiti said they had searched for high traffic areas across the country for their museum and ultimately opted for the South Deerfield site when it became available. The close proximity of the Yankee Candle Company and the Magic Wings & Butterfly Conservatory were also reasons cited for their decision to start the business on Greenfield Road. Dr. Spooky's opened for business last November.

With Frank Campiti having previously worked for the Zoo at Forest Park in Springfield, as well as for Walt Disney World and MGM designing sets, his creative genius took over and he thoroughly enjoyed the year spent designing, hand carving and stone cutting the props that create the mystical mystique within the 7,500-square-foot museum. Additionally, after the birch trees, rock cliffs, benches and unusual creatures that are depicted on the walls were created and sculpted, all had to be hand painted.

In the center of the attraction is a video of Dr. Spooky himself, fronted by a scary cemetery dotted with tombstones. Dr. Spooky weaves history lessons from the extinction of the dinosaurs to the importance of water today for our planet. Dr. Spooky has three distinct presentations and visitors are encouraged to enjoy each which are approximately five minutes in length.

As one weaves through the animal displays, ultimately the Campitis hope the tour enlightens individuals of all ages.

Frank Campiti said that one of their goals is to teach people they can learn from animals.

"The more you read the more you will get out of the experience," he said.

On the final leg of the tour, a section devoted to dinosaurs always proves to be entertaining for young people. All displays are casts that examine the various parts of dinosaurs ranging from claws, feet and arms to teeth. After a brief history lesson, visitors can then enter a "T-Rex Tent" that simulates for approximately five minutes a sensory experience of what it may have been like to be in the presence of a T-Rex challenging another dinosaur millions of years ago. Within a 12'x12' darken space with only lantern lights flickering, one can imagine being in a thicket as a T-Rex does battle with another dinosaur.

Campiti said the "T-Rex Tent" is not scary and most children enjoy the overall sensory experience.

As the tour comes to an end, picnic tables await visitors to rest a bit and a small snack bar is available serving light refreshments. A gift shop is adjacent to the snack bar and features educational toys that all tie in to what visitors have just experienced.

Dr. Spooky's Animal Museum is open year round, and can be rented for parties and special events. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed Mondays with the exception of school holidays on Mondays. Admission is $7.50, $6.50 for seniors, and free for children under three.

For more information, call (413) 665-5001 or visit www.drspookys.com.