 Greetings!We apologize for the interruption in our monthly
e-newsletter; the good news is, the reason for the interruption was because SO many exciting things were happening!
In May, we hosted a successful site visit as part of our re-accreditation process and also hosted the second and third of the Civil War concert series with Monica Grabin. In June, we held our annual golf tournament, hosted Civil War Day with re-enactors from 3rd Maine Regiment Volunteer Infantry, held our Annual Members' Meeting, and opened a brand-new exhibition on early 20th century travel. In July we participated in Kennebunk's Old Home Week celebration and held our summer history camp for kids. August marked our 75 Summers Anniversary celebration on Summer Street and our annual Shipbuilding Odyssey program.
And, our biggest news: in July, we welcomed our new executive director, Brian C. Collins!
Read on to learn more about what's been happening, and what we have coming up...
Sincerely,
The Brick Store Museum
207-985-4802 |
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Meet our new Executive Director, Brian Collins!
Brian Collins making repairs to the framed art storage area.
Greetings to all!
As the incoming Executive Director of the Brick Store Museum, I am very excited about the possibilities for the future growth of the Museum and the part that I may play in it. For those of you who have not yet met me, I am originally from New Jersey. I graduated from Monmouth University with both my BA and MA in history. I have worked in the museum field for over sixteen years in the United States and in Ireland. Until recently I served as the Executive Director of the Pejepscot Historical Society in Brunswick, ME where I operated the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum, the Skolfield-Whittier House Museum and the Pejepscot Museum.
I started work here at the Brick Store Museum on July 18th. Since then I have been very impressed with our buildings and collections, as well as all of the fine work that has gone into preserving them both by staff, volunteers, trustees and friends of the Museum. In looking at the coming year I see tremendous potential for new exhibits and programs.
In 2012 you can look forward to seeing an expanded Civil War exhibit in honor of the sesquicentennial of the conflict. We are also a participant in the Maine Civil War Trail Project, a collaborative effort by museums throughout Maine to commemorate our state's role in the nation's struggle. The project kicks off in the summer of 2013.
We are also contemplating organizing several special events to raise the funds necessary to install a much needed climate control system in the museum. This will protect not only the buildings but the archives and artifacts stored within them. One such event already in the planning stage is a Used Book Sale & Community Appreciation Day which will be held in July. To make this event a success we need your books. So we are asking all of our friends and supporters out there to donate any unwanted books they may have around the house. They may be dropped off at the Museum any time over the next few months or, if you are unable to deliver them yourself, call us and we will pick them up. But please, no dictionaries, encyclopedias, school textbooks, or travel guides (they just don't sell).
Another event in the planning stages is a members only Preservation Party to be held in an interesting private home on the beach in May (we will let you know where when the details are firmed up).
Finally, we hope to kick off a membership drive in the spring to invite more of our friends and neighbors to become involved with the Brick Store Museum which is, and always has been, a resource for the entire community for education, research and entertainment.
In the meantime, I look forward to working with our staff, volunteers and trustees and to meeting our members over the course of the next year.
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Sincerely,
Brian Collins |
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Newest Exhibition - Impressions of a World Traveler: Early 20th Century Travel through the Eyes of Edith Barry
The Brick Store Museum's Annual Members' Meeting on June 22nd also marked the opening of our newest exhibition, Impressions of a World Traveler: Early 20th Century Travel Through the Eyes of Edith Barry. This exhibit features the early 20th Century travel photographs, souvenirs, and writings of the Museum's founder, Edith Barry, who traveled the world nearly every year from 1900 to 1960.
As a trained artist, Edith Barry documented her journeys through photography, with particular attention to foreign culture and people. The exhibit highlights four of Barry's voyages: Northern Africa (1912); Asia (1920); and two "Around the World" trips (1935 and 1958).
In addition to viewing the world as it was through images, visitors can also discover how certain events affected international travel, from the World Wars to the Depression; and how travel transportation changed so radically from steamships to airplanes in a matter of a decade. Within the museum gallery, guests will experience the adventurous world as Edith Barry saw it in 1912, 1920, 1935, and 1958.
Impressions of a World Traveler will remain on view through June 2012. |
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Brick Store Museum is Kennebunk Savings Community Investment Ballot Program Recipient
Each year Kennebunk Savings customers are asked to help direct a percentage of the bank's annual charitable giving and, based on their votes, checks totalling $100,000 are distributed to the top 125 organizations. It's all a part of Kennebunk Savings' Community Promise, in which Kennebunk Savings gives back 10% or more of its earnings to the nonprofit community.
Right: David Moravick (Kennebunk Savings Senior Vice President) presents Brick Store Museum Executive Director, Brian Collins, with a check for $1,003.00 from the Kennebunk Savings Community Investment Ballot program. |
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Many Thanks to our Business Partners!
The following community-minded businesses are supporting us for the
2011-2012 Business Partner Membership year:
Mercantile Society:
Captain Lord Mansion
Shipbuilding Society:
Cole Harrison Insurance
Hussey Seating
R & E Associates
Tradesmen Society:
1802 House Bed & Breakfast
Atria Kennebunk
The B & B Team
Bel Cibo da Cherie
Jeffrey A. Bonney, CFP
Captain Fairfield Inn
Dietz Associates
Duffy's Tavern & Grill
Home Instead Senior Care
Huston & Company
Old Fort Inn
Richard Irons - Restoration Masons
The Savings Bank of Maine
William Arthur
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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 75 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 the Brick Store Museum held a Photo Contest?
 Contestants in the Brick Store Museum Photography Contest, which was held from July 15 to September 2, captured the true spirit of Edith Barry's legacy of transporting us through images to different nations, new cultures, and unfamiliar places. In an amazing array of color, vision, landscape, and focus, over 150 images were submitted to the contest, showing places and things both near and far.
Photographs submitted to the contest captured culture and landscape around the world: countries such as Italy, the Galapagos Islands, Mexico, The Netherlands, Ecuador, France, Tunisia, the Azores, and Switzerland are all featured in the submitted photographs, as well as various places in the U.S., representing 12 states. To view the contest entries, visit the photo contest page on the Museum's website.
Cast your vote for the "Visitors' Choice" award by doing one of the following: "Like" the photo on the Brick Store Museum's Facebook page; email your choice to research@brickstoremuseum.org; or stop by the Museum to tell us your vote. Deadline is September 16! |
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Museum Spotlight:
Celebrating our Diamond Anniversary
After many months of planning, our 75 Summers celebration was shared with 100 participants on a lovely August afernoon. Four historic homes on Summer Street were the venues for vintage events, special refreshments, and - of COURSE - some history!
Guests participated in a New England Barn Dance, a vintage birthday party, a paper boat regatta, and badminton matches. They were served special treats such as lobster rolls, hot dogs, and birthday cupcakes.
At each venue, a costumed interpreter greeted guests with information about the house and its owners.
A wonderful time was had by all!
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Upcoming...
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Smithsonian Museum Day September 24, 2011, The Brick Store Museum will join with other museums and cultural institutions to open their doors free of charge to all visitors who download the Museum Day Ticket from the Smithsonian's event web page.
October 29, 2011
All Souls' Walk & Dinner
The 8th Annual All Souls' Walk will begin at 1:00 PM, with continuous tours leaving the Museum courtyard until 4:00 PM. Cost is $5 per person, no advance purchase needed.
All Souls Dinner at the
Nonantum Resort at 7:00 PM. Reservations required, watch our website for details! |
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Check out our "artifact
of the month"
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E-newsletter sponsored by our proud Business Partner,
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