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| The Future of the Past: Supporting Historical Museums. by Travis Simpkins |
The
Future of the Past:
Supporting
Historical Museums
by Travis
Simpkins
In June of 2017, I was
contacted by the Grand Lodge of Maine. They were looking to acquire
my portrait of Major General Henry Knox for a special exhibit at the
Knox Museum. Located in the coastal town of Thomaston, the Knox
Museum is a recreation of the original 18th Century home
of Revolutionary War General Henry Knox, key advisor to George
Washington and our nation's first Secretary of War (Fort Knox and
Knoxville, Tennessee are named after him). For decades, the Maine
institution had conformed to the traditional model of a “House
Museum” with guided tours through rooms that appeared frozen in
time. Now, they had made the bold decision to change direction and
transform the Museum into a series of interactive exhibits focused on
various aspects of Knox's life. Included in this vision was a
display, curated by the Grand Lodge of Maine, that centered on his
role as a Freemason. My original portrait of Knox was to be a central
component of the exhibit and the image was printed on a promotional
brochure that the Grand Lodge had prepared to illustrate his Masonic
history. The framed portrait was to have an engraved brass plaque on
it as well. Rather than just have my own name emblazoned there, I
decided to donate the artwork in honor of my friend and Brother, Jack
Hickey, who was Worshipful Master of MG Henry Knox Lodge in Boston at
the time. I shipped the portrait to Maine and it was on display in
the museum by mid July.
All seemed well, so it
came as a bit of a surprise in December, when a statement was
released saying that the Knox Museum would be forced to close if they
could not raise $150,000 by January 15, 2018. In the absence of
large donors, the museum was in a “dire situation.” The museum
had been operating for nearly a century on a generous gift, but those
initial funds had been exhausted. The building itself is a replica,
built in 1929, of Knox's 1794 home which was located nearby (it fell
into disrepair and was demolished in 1871). Despite being 89 years
old, because the museum structure is not original, it does not meet
the requirements for a protected historical site.
On January 19th,
four days after the deadline, the trustees announced their decision.
Although the Museum had only raised 2/3 of it's $150,000 goal, the
doors of the Knox Museum would remain open... with some expected
changes. The museum would continue to operate, but they would have to
restructure the staff organization, keep on fundraising and move
forward in envisioning new methods of engaging audiences (the bold
changes in the Summer of 2017 had been the first step). All future
events will be mission-driven and streamlined, focusing on Henry Knox
and the Revolutionary War as well as honoring veterans. The museum
also seeks to establish stronger ties within the community,
encouraging citizen involvement and utilizing local resources. The
trustees and staff deserve to be applauded for their admirable
efforts. I am optimistic about their future path, and if you're in
Maine, stop by to visit my portrait which I'm proud to say is still
on display there.
Although this will likely
turn out well for the Knox Museum, it draws focus on the ever-present
problem of dwindling support for our smaller historical institutions.
Whether it is your local historical society, library or even a Museum
room that is set up in your Masonic Temple, these collections require
constant effort to maintain. They rely on the dedicated support of
individuals, who either donate funds or donate their time by
volunteering. Museums in precarious circumstances don't necessarily
have to close. Creative thinking and a concerned group of supporters
can be enough to begin turning things around. Not all of us have the
means to be wealthy benefactors, but everyone can play a part in
helping to preserve history, ensuring that these unique museums stay
open for future generations to enjoy.
Here are some easy things
that can be of help:
Become a Member: If
you think you'll visit a particular museum several times within a
year, consider making the annual membership contribution. Quite
often, it is even tax deductible.
Pay the Admission Fee:
Too many visitors wait to take advantage of “free admission days”
that museum's occasionally offer. These promotions don't really
benefit the organizations in the long run. If you're interested in
the subject, just consider paying the minimal price of admission.
Ticket sales usually go directly towards operation costs.
Volunteer: While
big art museums employ a staff of hundreds, most small museums have
very few paid employees. Consider volunteering as a docent. Docents
are an indispensable source of knowledge on tours and are the
lifeblood of a museum.
Tell Your Friends:
Follow the museum's Facebook page and share their events. Post your
own photos and memories. Encourage others to visit the museums you
enjoy. A friend's enthusiasm is a great endorsement.
- TS
