While many of my friends are energized by the “fresh start”
of January, I’ve always dreaded it.
To me, there’s something unnerving and daunting about a brand new blank
calendar! I'd much rather flip back through the 2013 calendar and remember all that's been done in my department over the past 12 months.
So, in the spirit of the “year in review” posts that seem to
be everywhere this time of year, here are my favorite moments from 2013:
7. Installing compact
shelving in the Conservation Gallery.
The new building was our dream for years and years, so we were very
excited when we finally got to build it in 2010. But the interior wasn’t quite finished. We desperately wanted compact shelving units
to maximize our space in the new storage facility. After years of looking for the right funding
source, we finally got the money to purchase them this year. We now have a state-of-the-art storage
facility for our textiles, furniture, and large artifact collections – with space
to grow!
6. Serving on the grant
review committee for The History Fund at the Ohio Historical Society. I have to say that the two days I spent in
Columbus in February 2013 were THE MOST INTENSE of my life. It was extremely difficult to choose among so
many excellent projects. It really gave
me a glimpse at the other side of grant writing. Your proposal can be top notch, and you can
still not be funded when the competition is fierce. As I write more and more grants in the future,
this experience will stick with me and remind me what makes a proposal really
stand out in a crowd.
5. C-SPAN coming to
film their popular First Ladies series here.
I’ve had the good fortune of being on several television programs over
the years. I’m always excited when I get
a call asking if I’m willing to be on camera.
It was a lot of fun to pull out artifacts relating to Ida McKinley’s
life, some of which had never before been seen because they were only recently
donated to the Museum!
4. Being profiled in
About magazine. I’ve been a fan of About
since it came out. I’ve read the column “In
My Own Words” many times, asking myself how I would answer the questions if
anyone were ever to ask me. When the
email came asking me to do it, I jumped at the chance to participate.
3. The donation of a
Dueber Hampden bicycle. I didn’t think
any of these still existed. I had
never seen a real one, only a drawing in an ad. We have a few of the plates that wrap around
the handlebar tree, but that was it.
When I found out someone not only HAD ONE, they were willing to DONATE
IT, I just about fell off my chair. The top
three things on my Curatorial Wish List were:
- Ida McKinley’s wedding dress
- An "I Spin for McKinley" Gibbs top
- Dueber Hampden bicycle
The only thing we don’t have yet is that
wedding dress! We have a lead on an image of it that I hope pans out shortly. I think I need to spend some time
thinking of a few new items to add to the Wish List.
2. The release of my
fourth book Canton Entertainment. When
2013 started, it wasn’t even on my radar screen to write another book. After hearing Cindy in the Museum Shoppe
talking about how she wished she had a new book to sell, the idea for Canton
Entertainment began to take shape. It’s
been a wild ride!
1. Installing A Secret
Gift in the Keller Gallery. I know I’ve
blogged about this exhibit a lot in the past few months, but that’s only
because I care so deeply about this story.
Ted Gup’s book gave Canton a wonderful story to inspire us, as well as
the perfect opportunity for our cultural organizations to collaborate. The exhibit is open through February 2, 2014 in
the Keller Gallery, but we are talking about ways to incorporate the story
permanently into The Stark County Story.
More about that as it develops.
It's been a great year at the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum! We're looking forward to what's coming up in 2014. Even as I crack open that calendar, full of work yet to do, before I know it I'll be right back here in December 2014 looking back at everything we did in the year to come.
From all of us to all of you, Happy Holidays!
No comments:
Post a Comment