 Greetings!
According to the calendar, spring has sprung, and that means it's time to shake that cabin fever for one of our exhibits or events in the coming weeks!
For example, join us at Kennebunkport Inn's One Dock Restaurant on April 6th for Worthy Wednesday. Enjoy a delicious meal, and One Dock will donate 15% of the evening's proceeds to the Brick Store Museum! Reservations are strongly recommended by calling One Dock at 207-967-2621.
If you haven't been in yet to see our exciting newest permanent exhibition, Windows on the Past: Kennebunk's History through Architecture, be sure to plan a visit soon!
Also on the docket are a trio of concerts commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the first of which is scheduled for April 12th.
Read on to learn more about what's coming up and what's been happening here at the Museum this month...
Sincerely,
The Brick Store Museum
207-985-4802
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We'll Rally 'Round the Flag
On April 12th at 7:00 PM, the Museum joins forces with local musician and educator Monica Grabin to present the first of a trio of concerts commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, entitled "We'll Rally 'Round the Flag."
The Civil War is unique in our history for the avalanche of songs, written by ordinary people and professional songwriters, which illuminated the feelings on both sides. Playing guitar, banjo, autoharp and percussion, Grabin explores these songs, from many different genres, and the stories behind each one.
The first shots of the war were fired on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. The series will kick off on the 150th anniversary of this turning point. Grabin's stirring performance, entitled "Just Before the Battle," takes us into the minds and hearts of Americans grappling with the issue of slavery which had brought them to the brink.
The concert will be held at 7:00 PM in the Museum's Program Center at 4 Dane Street. Admission is free of charge, with donations welcome.
This program is made possible by a grant from the Virginia Hodgkins Somers Foundation.
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Kennebunk Savings Customers: Vote for YOUR Museum!
If you're a Kennebunk Savings customer, look for the opportunity to vote for the Brick Store Museum via the 2011 Customer Ballot you'll receive from Kennebunk Savings in the mail. This year, ballots may be dropped at bank offices, mailed, or you can vote online at www.kennebunksavings.com/ballot.
Please take advantage of this opportunity to support us by casting your vote before April 30th. Each vote for the Museum translates to valuable grant money which allows us to continue delivering the quality programs and exhibitions you've come to know and love!
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Middle School Students Connect with Community History
Earlier this month, some sixth grade students at the Middle School of the Kennebunks took a more local look at biographical research. Members of the Museum's Education Committee brought archival resources and artifact images to the classroom and helped students discover information about local historical f igures.
The following Saturday, students attended a special open house at the Museum. They were given the opportunity to see many of the actual artifacts they'd seen in pictures during class, and toured the Museum's Archives.
Their teacher, Laurie Jacques, was very pleased with the program. "The students were very engaged in using the historic materials provided by  the Museum," said Jacques. "Many of the children are now enthusiastically coming into class and telling their classmates about a specific building or home, which has played an important role in our local history. It is wonderful to hear them making a connection with their community, and this learning project is certainly one we'd like to expand into the future."
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Search for Executive Director Moving Forward
Our Executive Search Committee continues to make progress in its quest for the Brick Store Museum's new Executive Director. They are now in the final phase of interviews, and we look forward to having our new Executive Director on board to celebrate our 75th Anniversary with us!
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The Brick Store Museum is located at 117 Main Street in the heart of Kennebunk's National Register Historic District. For more than 70 years, the Museum has been dedicated to preserving the rich cultural and artistic heritage of the Kennebunks. Its galleries and research archives are open year-round (closed holidays), Tuesdays-Fridays, 10-4:30 and Saturdays, 10-1. Admission is by donation; suggested $5/person. For more information, check us out at www.brickstoremuseum.org, or give us a call at 207.985.4802. |
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Did You Know...
...that we are planning a VERY special 75th anniversary celebration for this summer?
Join us on August 6th for fascinating stories and vintage events at four different historic homes on Summer Street! Watch our website and future newsletters for more information. |
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Museum Spotlight:
The Archives Area
Gets an Update
The Museum's Archives can now boast a brand new shelving system, a high-density storage solution for museums and archives. This moveable shelving system, called the MobileTrak, doubles the amount of storage space along one wall of the Archives. Over the past week, the museum staff moved ten "old" shelves' worth of archival material onto five new shelves! The carriages, holding seven shelving units on each side, are anchored to a metal track. The center carriage glides back and forth on the track using a mechanical assist system with a three-spoked handle that rotates like a steering wheel when a staff member turns the handle. The purchase of this shelving system was made possible by a grant from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation.
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Upcoming...
"We'll Rally 'Round the Flag": A Singing History of the Civil War in a Trio of Concerts, as performed by Monica Grabin Opening of The Preservation Movement Then & Now, and lecture Preserving New England: The Life & Legacy of William Sumner Appleton by Historic New England |
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Check out our "artifact
of the month"
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