'The Lorax' inspired by Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Read Across America day is March 2nd in honor of Springfield's own Dr. Seuss. It's also the day his book "The Lorax" opens in theatres.

The animated feature follows a 12 year old who searches for a real Truffula tree and hears the story of “The Lorax” who fights to protect his world but before Hollywood took over, it was inspired in Springfield, Massachusetts.

"To understand Dr. Seuss you have to come to Springfield to see where many of his creative ideas originiated," said Guy McLain, Director of the Wood Museum of History.

The Thneeds factory was a real factory that was once located where I-91 runs through Springfield. The pollution oozed out and left a stench right outside of his grandparent's bakery in the South End on Howard Street.

"The bakery had all of these wonderful smells and this gasworks just a couple of blocks away had all of these terrible smells that really was quite an early childhood experience for him," said McLain.

Dr. Seuss' dad worked at the Forest Park Zoo and the family lived right around the corner from there so much of the inspiration of protecting the environment started right at Forest Park.

Springfield Museums throws a party for Dr. Seuss' birthday every year which is one of the busiest days of the year for them and with the opening of “The Lorax” the same day, it will likely be even bigger.

"I think with the extra attention from ‘The Lorax’ I think people will have Seuss on the brain and will be coming to the museums in droves on Saturday,” said Kristina Guerin the Museum Programmer.

This could give a little boost to the area.  Christine Hager visited the Museum on Wednesday in part because of all the hype around Dr. Suess and the movie opening.  She’s also hoping this buzz will bring people in, "I'm cheering for Springfield to keep some good business going and utilize the resources we have."

For more information on the events going on for Dr. Seuss’ birthday at the Springfield museums click here .