We know we are sounding a bit like Paul Revere here, but we’re finding that too many islanders have not heard the news! The Smithsonian* sponsors a series of traveling exhibits that visit small museums around the country, because not everyone is able to visit D.C. museum. One exhibit, entitled “Journey Stories”, will be at our museum from July 17 through August 29. We are one of only six in Washington State chosen for this honor. The educational opportunities of this exhibit, the influx of revenue to our community from increased tourism, and putting us “on the map” are all reasons for our community to be VERY enthusiastic!!
What can you expect when you visit the exhibit? The overall theme is how the development of transportation systems allows Americans the unmatched freedom to travel…whether for work, pleasure, or a fresh start… in any part of this great land we choose. It is set up in six display modules which chronicle the personal stories of American immigration and settlement. They are: 1) One-Way Trip – European settlers, interactions with Native Americans, and slavery arrivals; 2) Pushing the Boundaries – expansion across the Appalachians; 3) Across the Great Desert – Oregon and California Trails, the Trail of Tears, early transportation, the Civil War; 4) Railroads Span the Nation – the Transcontinental Railroad, ethnic workers, homesteaders, effects on Plains Indians; 5) Accelerated Mobility – cars and highways replace trains and river boats, migrations of Great Depression and people seeking industry jobs; and 6) Our Expanded World – people’s stories, how they came to be where they are, hence Journey Stories.
Our museum will augment Smithsonian displays and artifacts with items from our own collection. In the last section, we have been working with the high school’s Electronic Media class. These students have recorded several islanders recounting their life stories. The resulting video, along with written stories from all of you, will form this display. Our personal journey stories will be kept at the museum, and we hope, will outlive us all.
In addition to the exhibits themselves, the museum is sponsoring a weekly series of theme-related speakers and performers. Watch for this exciting schedule as the time approaches!
Putting on Journey Stories will require much more of our volunteers’ time than usual. A number of your neighbors have stepped up to be docents (that’s exhibit guides in museum-speak), but more are needed. It is an interesting and rewarding position, and you will be the face of the museum for the many islanders and visitors who attend. If you can spare two-and-a-half hours per week during this six-week period, call us at 376-4849 right away, so we can schedule you for a few hours of training in June. You will also get a hands-on walk-through just before the opening. Please help us make this the huge success it can be. By the way, if you’re not excited yet, check your pulse!
Bill Buchan, Board President
Orcas Island Historical Museum
*Journey Stories is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the Federation of State Humanities Councils, including Humanities Washington. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the Unites States Congress.
