The Museum is transforming from a small history museum to a hub that is responsive to its community’s needs. We’ve developed a hybrid approach where exhibits and programs meld to create that much-desired collective experience, bringing unlikely people together. At the core of this approach is the idea that history repeats itself and that we are not alone in our experiences; others have seen similar challenges and times.
All the artifacts in our collection were used by people like us. The wedding dresses, the agricultural equipment, and the radios are where the conversation starts, and a connection is built –a connection to the past and those who are right beside us.
Visits to the Museum are encounters with others, offering new experiences that bring us new insights. It’s an authentic connection. We are asking you to play a part in this innovative approach to running a museum.
Make a contribution to invest in this innovative transformation.
What would our world look like without access to education? Even after we graduate from the educational system there is still much to learn. The problem is how to continue on our path of learning. What’s needed are places, like local museums, where we can learn outside of a “success” or “failure” educational system. The Museum is a hub for those seeking -without judgment- the knowledge they need to direct their life. At the museum all are teachers and learners together, sharing knowledge, skills, and experiences.
We can confuse the pursuit of obtaining knowledge with the search for information. Museums bring people together to obtain knowledge, but how people want to do that is changing. They want to have a collective experience around history, music, and art -not look at it in a glass case. A well designed building can increasing engagement and fostering meaningful connections.
The divided nature of our country has moved us into “camps” of people similar to ourselves. There are fewer places where we can engage with a diverse group of people. The Health Resources & Service Administration’s (HRSA) report on loneliness, states that “…social isolation can be as damaging to health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.” Psychologist Susan Pinker states that social isolation is the public health risk of our time. Pinker believes real social contact is a biological need like eating, drinking, or sleeping. Both Pinker and the HRSA conclude social engagement as a remedy.
Read more about the campaign
