Around the World with Julia Meek Gaar
Date: Saturday August 12, 2023, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Admission: Free with Museum Admission/ WCHM Members and kids 5 and under are Free!
The founder of the Wayne County Historical Museum Julia Meek-Gaar loved to travel the world and bring home artifacts so the children of Wayne County could learn about different cultures. Julia loved sharing her artifacts so much that on August 13th, 1929, she purchased the old Hicksite Quaker Meeting House which still houses our museum today! The Wayne County Historical Museum opened in 1930 and featured exhibits from around the world including our 3,500-year-old Egyptian mummy. In celebration of all things Julia, YOUR WCHM is happy to announce Around the World with Julia Meek-Gaar which celebrates the many accomplishments of our wonderful founder.
Around the World with Julia Meek- Gaar will feature activities from some of the countries Julia visited during her travels. Each child will receive a passport and will receive a stamp from all the different places that they visit. Treats from around the world will be available for visitors to sample. Visitors will get a chance to meet Julia herself! (Portrayed by Tina Conti). Free water provided by Indiana American Water will be provided for guests in the courtyard. Come out to the Wayne County Historical Museum, grab a passport, and take a trip around the world!
A Paranormal Evening at the Museum
Are you ready to explore the mysterious world of the supernatural? Look no further! We invite you to join YOUR WCHM for an unforgettable evening of paranormal investigation. The cost of this event is $25 dollars per person, and you must pay either through Eventbrite or by stopping by YOUR WCHM to reserve your spot! During this in-person event, you will have the chance to explore the museum alongside experienced paranormal investigators. Armed with specialized equipment, we will delve into the unknown, seeking answers to the unexplained phenomena that surround us. YOUR WCHM has some equipment available for use during the event, but we only have a limited number of devices if you have your own equipment to bring the equipment for the event. Whether you’re a seasoned ghost hunter or simply curious about the supernatural, this event promises to be an evening like no other. Be prepared for the opportunity to witness paranormal activity firsthand. Don’t miss out on this rare chance to step into the world of the unexplained. This evening will begin with a short talk where WCHM staff and volunteers will share stories of their own supernatural encounters at the Wayne County Historical Museum and throughout their lives! Grab your friends, bring an open mind, and get ready to be captivated by the mysteries that await at YOUR WCHM!
Eventbrite Ticket Link:
Our Legacy: 1800 and Beyond Public Exhibit Opening and Public Program
Venue: Wayne County Historical Museum 1150 North A Street Richmond, IN 47374
Date: Sunday June 25, 2023, 1:00pm
Admission: FREE
The Wayne County Historical Museum is partnering with Black Legacy Project of Wayne County, IN to bring you this year’s signature program Our Legacy: 1800 and Beyond, which will tell the stories of Black residents of Wayne County. This exhibit will highlight the stories of Black Wayne County residents who led important and impactful lives as doctors, lawyers, business owners, airmen, and educators, as well as other influential careers. Visitors can enjoy this exhibit until Spring 2024, and permanent elements will become part of the existing exhibits on the history of Wayne County, Indiana.
The public program will Wayne County’s Black Legacy. Our public opening will feature reenactors portraying various Black Wayne County Residents from 1800 to the present. Be sure to stop and have a chat with them to learn all about their stories. Jazz drummer Harold Jones will be available throughout the day to chat, take pictures, and sign his books. Alex Painter will give a talk on his book Blackball which weaves the story of Richmond’s negro baseball leagues. Alex will sign copies of his book after his talk. Crafts, games, music, food trucks and other interactive activities will make this event fun for all ages! Wayne County Tourism, 101.7 the Point, the Townsend Center, Levi and Catharine Coffin Historic Site, Black Legacy Project of Wayne County, and Angela Coffey will be hosting tables will be hosting outreach tables. Fatheadz food truck will be selling refreshments throughout the day.
This annual signature public program allows for YOUR Wayne County Historical Museum to continue our mission to educate the public, promote, collect, preserve, and interpret the rich heritage of Wayne County, Indiana and illustrate the county’s role in American and World Culture.
Julia Meek Gaar Museum Adventure Camp
Where: 1150 North A Street, Richmond IN
Price: $70 for members, $75 for non-members, siblings will receive a $5 discount Ages 8-13
Description:
Has your child ever wondered how artifacts from around the world end up in museums, how museums interpret artifacts and exhibit them, or wondered how museums preserve artifacts for future generations? If so, the Julia Meek-Gaar Adventure Camp is a perfect place for them to explore the wonderful and exciting world of working in a museum!
Join YOUR WCHM this July for the camp that allows campers to discover and research artifacts, design, and create a museum exhibit, and campers will showcase their artifact in their own mini museum! Campers will have the chance experience snacks from around the world!
*Make YOUR WCHM aware of any food allergies
- The Julia Meek-Gaar Adventure camp runs July 17th– 21st from 9:00am-3:00pm. *Campers must supply their own lunch.
- The cost of this camp is $70 for members and $75 for non-members. Siblings will receive a $5 discount.
- Each camper will receive a camp t-shirt and a certificate for the camper’s participation at the end of camp.
- Due to COVID restrictions YOUR WCHM will cap the number of campers at 25.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic YOUR WCHM will take the following steps to ensure safety of the camper:
- Only 25 Campers will be allowed to participate in the Julia Meek-Gaar Adventure Camp.
- Campers will have an assigned table, There will a max of 7 kids per table for social distancing purposes. If siblings need to be placed at the same table, please let our Education Manager know
- Materials for all activities will be assigned to individual campers. Each camper will be assigned a bin with their name on it.
- Tables, chairs, camper bins and materials (such as scissors) will be disinfected at the end of each day. YOUR WCHM uses 80% isopropyl alcohol and microband as disinfectants
- Campers will wash their hands when entering and leaving the community, during breaks, before and after snack and lunch, and after using the restroom. Both hand sanitizer and soap and water will be available for campers to use as needed. Hand sanitizer will be available at each table
- YOUR WCHM will do our best to limit contact with non-camp staff and museum visitors. The community room will be accessible to campers and camp staff only. Lunch will either be eaten in the community room or outside (weather permitting)
Questions? Please email our Education Manager Maggie Smith at education@wchmuseum.org.
2023 Historical Speaker Series!
Join YOUR WCHM for a FREE Virtual talk with Charlie Dahan , co-author of Starr Piano & Gennett Records! Charlie was a huge part of putting together our 2022 Signature Exhibit all about Gennett Records. This talk will help wrap up our year-long celebration of the Gennett Records story. If you haven’t stopped in to see Gennett Records: The Birthplace of American Recorded Music exhibit yet, the exhibit will be up in its entirety until the end of May. Portions of the exhibit will become part of our permanent exhibit narrative after that time.
You can join this free talk by following the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81757684032
We hope to see you there!
Daniel Reid and His Legacy, presented by Sue King
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2023 AT 4 PM – 5 PM
Location: Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church 1004 North A Street, Richmond, IN
Admission: Free
Event by Morrisson-Reeves Library, The Reid Center and Wayne County Historical Museum
Wayne County residents are familiar with the “Reid” family name, but how many know about the benefactor Daniel Gray Reid? Richmond native Daniel Reid started his business life in banking and became a successful industrialist, financier, and benefactor. He was sometimes known as the “Tin Plate King” because that’s where he made his first fortune.
This presentation will tell the story of how Richmond youngster Dan Reid became one of the richest men in America, and how, even with his mansions and yachts, he always considered Richmond to be his home. He gave innumerable large and small gifts to Richmond organizations, and this presentation will take place inside his greatest gift – the Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church, now known as the Reid Center.
About the presenter:
Sue King is Archivist at Morrisson-Reeves Library, Board President of the Wayne County Historical Museum and Board Member of The Reid Center. In addition to her work on Daniel Reid, King has researched other local historic topics such as Singin’ Sam, Women’s Suffrage, Richmond’s architecture, in addition to the history of the library itself. For more information on some of the local history King documents, see mrlhistory.org
About the co-sponsors:
The Reid Center was created to preserve the historic Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church and is committed to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion in our leadership and in all programming. For more information about The Reid Center, and its cultural, educational and rich historic significance, see www.reidcenter.org
The Wayne County Historical Museum educates, promotes, collects, preserves, and interprets the rich heritage of Wayne County, Indiana and illustrates the county’s role in American and World Culture. For more information about the WCHM, the Egyptian Mummy and other historic and cultural artifacts it houses, see wchmuseum.org
Morrisson-Reeves Library strives to connect people to information, inspiration, and infinite opportunities. For more information about Morrisson-Reeves Library and the vibrant, vital community resources for imagination and growth it offers, see mrlinfo.org
Join YOUR Museum on Wednesday February 22 at 6:00 pm for a FREE Talk in the WCHM Community Room. Eileen Baker-Wall and Joanna Hahn of the Levi and Catharine Coffin House State Historic Site will engage visitors with the history of the Underground Railroad in Wayne County.
We have accessible parking in the rear parking lot located at S. 11th Street and B street. The Community Building is one story and is accessible. Please let us know at least 24 hours prior to your visit if additional accommodations are necessary.