The Fabyan Villa Museum is the former home of George and Nelle Fabyan, a wealthy progressive couple from Chiocago. The Fabyans commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to remodel and expand the 1870's farmhouse, which they named the Villa. A guided tour tells the story of the Fabyan’s lives in Geneva , and reveals the scope of their country estate, Riverbank. The home is partially furnished, with some spaces used to display their collections and other estate artifacts.
The Japanese Garden is a historic landscape site, with original and recreated structures. The Fabyans had the garden designed and installed below the Villa in 1910. The Garden has undergone extensive renovation since 1972.
Fabyan Villa Museum
Open May 15 to October 15
Public hours—guided tours:
Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m. (last tour 3:30 p.m.)
Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4:30 p.m. (last tour 4 p.m.)
Tours on the half hour, last 45 minutes
Self-guided family tours:
June through August, Thursdays 1-4 p.m.
Admission--suggested donation of $2 per adult, $1 per child
It's a new year, and we hope that people everywhere will resolve to celebrate small museums everywhere in 2011! We are - and so, we're taking a month to celebrate all small museums! We hope that you will email us with a photo for a small museum montage that we'll show here (and if you'd like your museum to be a future small museum of the month, email us that too!).
Visiting Information: Open Tuesday- Saturday, 9:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (Closed December 18-February 15, except by appointment)
Why we're great:
Blount Mansion was the home of William Blount, a signer of the U.S. Constitution, governor of the Territory of the United States South of the River Ohio, and one of Tennessee’s first Senators. Blount Mansion served as a capital of the Territory and Tennessee for a portion of time and is the only National Historic Landmark in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tours of the property include the Mansion, the reconstructed kitchen, and the Governor’s Office. With a full-time staff of two and regular volunteers numbering around six, it’s not uncommon to receive a tour from the Director or Education Coordinator (who attempt to be highly knowledgeable of the site, despite only being on staff for six months) or see them running around campus fixing plumbing, selling parking spaces for home football games, or attempting to set up an exhibit due to open in five minutes.
The Nebraska Firefighters Museum & Education Center was just a dream to Nebraska firefighters until it opened its doors on August 15, 2009! Since then, this beautiful new facility has been utilized by kids (and kids-at-heart!) as a place to engage with the proud history of Nebraska’s approximately 500 volunteer or career fire departments, and to learn hands-on about the importance of fire prevention!
Located just off Interstate-80 in the heart of the nation, the shiny restored trucks & apparatus, historic antique equipment & tools, detailed 40-foot timeline of Nebraska’s firefighting heritage since 1856, and bold educational fire prevention exhibits have been seen by thousands of visitors from literally around the world!
Each day, we strive to live out our purpose of preserving Nebraska’s tangible and intangible firefighting heritage, of educating our visitors about the importance of fire prevention and fire safety, and of memorializing Nebraska's firefighters & EMTs.
Phase One of the three planned phases of construction was the facility itself, which includes the Don & Ardath Smeal Family Gallery - named for the founders of the Smeal Fire Apparatus factory in Snyder, Neb., our $1,000,000 donors - a community birthday party room and a community conference room. Phase One was completed on August 14, 2009.
In order to showcase as many of Nebraska's fire departments as possible in the current available amount of space, we feature a rotating exhibit system, through which we annually exchange trucks on the floor, bring in new displays, and enhance the more permanent exhibits of the Gallery, including the fire prevention Hazard House.
Phase Two of construction was a stately Nebraska Firefighters Memorial Garden. After raising the funds for this project from private and corporate donors, we proudly broke ground in April 2010, and dedicated the completed landmark granite garden on 10.10.2010 at 10:00AM at the Nebraska Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service! The Memorial Garden is a permanent way to pay respectful homage to the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifices made by Nebraska’s past, present and future firefighters and EMTs by showcasing granite monuments engraved with the names of Nebraska’s line of duty deaths, and the sponsored names of many of our state’s past and present firefighters & EMTs. May they never be forgotten.
Phase Three will be the expansion of the exhibit gallery by 12,000 square feet, which will more than double our current exhibit space, distributed by 6,000 square feet to the east and to the west of the current gallery building. We will strive to raise the needed dollars to complete these additions, and complete the construction and exhibit installation process in the next few years.
Museum Information
The Virginia Center for Architecture 2501 Monument Avenue
Richmond, VA 23220 (804) 644-3041 www.virginiaarchitecture.org
Hours of Operation Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday 1–5 p.m.
The VCA is a great small museum:
As home to exhibitions, discussion forums, student programs, and a museum shop, the Virginia Center for Architecture provides an important cultural resource
The Center’s comprehensive exhibition program exposes the community to the importance and power of architecture, landscape architecture, and other aspects of design in our lives. Visitors discover how, of all the arts, architecture is the most public, most visible, and thus, the most defining — and how it shapes our communities and, in doing so, helps shape our citizens.
The Center — located in the historic Branch House, a home with equal stature to Monticello, Mount Vernon, and the James River plantations — offers exhibitions and programs to engage visitors in considering the built environment that surrounds them. By presenting the best architecture of all eras, including promising designs for tomorrow, the Center for Architecture nurtures a society that distinguishes architecture from mere building and understands the value of well-designed places.
Want to be a Small Museum of the Month? Learn more here!
Photo of Museum of the Month will be added to the front page of the SMA website shortly. All photos courtesy of the Virginia Center for Architecture.
Earlier this month, we announced our August Museum of the Month, Dumbarton House. SMA recently conducted an interview with their director, Karen Daly. Check out what Karen had to say! (All photos courtesy of Dumbarton House/The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America.)
SMA: What is your name and position at the museum?
DH: Karen L. Daly, Executive Director
SMA: What is the most surprising/interesting thing in your collection?
George Washington Beaker
DH: We have a copy of the first printing of the Articles of Confederation, with marginal notes from James Nourse—the father of our early resident Joseph Nourse, and a leader in colonial Virginia. We also have a silver beaker, or camp cup, used by George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Both are very exciting links to our nation’s founding over 200 years ago.
SMA: What do you hope people take away with them after visiting your museum?
DH: I hope they leave with a better sense of the effort and determination of early Americans—the idea that our nation was a great experiment, and the building of our national capital here in Washington and our national identity overall took many years and countless patriotic Americans to make a lasting reality.
Articles of Confederation
SMA: What are some of the programs/exhibitions/services you offer at your museum?
DH: We offer a regular calendar of temporary exhibitions, school & Scout programs, and public programs for the community. This fall, for example, we’re hosting monthly walking tours of our historic Georgetown neighborhood, Jazz in the Garden during extended evening museum hours, theatrical performances, and Cotillion Classes for pre-teens.
SMA: Are there any fun stories about your museum?
DH: Absolutely! On August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812, Dumbarton House served as first point of refuge for First Lady Dolley Madison as she fled the threatened White House. When she received word from the President about where to meet in Virginia later that day, she travelled on and escaped to safety across the Potomac. The British only hours later would arrive in Washington, setting fire to the Capitol and then the President’s House.
SMA: Besides your own, what is your favorite small museum and where is it located?
DH: I love Riversdale in Maryland. Home of the Mistress of Riversdale, Rosalie Stier Calvert, the historic site has lovely grounds including a working kitchen and period-appropriate gardens. Their interior has undergone exciting restoration efforts in recent years and staff are always hosting new and interesting public programs. To me, the site reflects exactly what is best about small museums—a real connection to the local community and a personal feel to tours and programs.
SMA: What do you think small museums can do to become better and/or stronger?
DH: I think working with each other and collaborating is the key to our future success. We can accomplish far more as a group than any one institution can accomplish on its own, and SMA is a great organization working to foster that kind of camaraderie.
Want to be a Small Museum of the Month? Learn more here!
The Dumbarton House is a Federal period historic house museum, ca. 1800, residence of Joseph Nourse, first register of the U.S. Treasury, a post he held 48 consecutive years through six presidencies. Located in Georgetown , a popular Washington , DC shopping and dining destination for locals and visitors, the museum rests in a non-commercial, residential quarter. Off the beaten path, behind a high brick wall, often unnoticed by passersby, decreasing attendance at public programs, and fewer rentals -- extra challenges for us in the 2009 economic downturn. What to do? Recognize opportunities for creative, unconventional partnerships with other sites and membership organizations. Develop cooperative programs and events. Be open to new audiences. Add front signage. Success? Expand tour days/hours.We are proud to report that our visitation increased 30% in 2009, a new standard maintained in 2010 – to be surpassed by year’s end! The hidden “Jewel of Georgetown” is re-discovered. Huzzah!
Contact Info
The Dumbarton House
Headquarters, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America
Between Mid-March and Mid-December: Tuesday-Friday, 10AM to 4PM (last museum entry is 3:45PM); Sat.-Sun, 11AM to 3PM (last museum entry is 2:45PM). Guided Tours also offered Tuesday-Sunday at 11AM, 12PM, & 1PM.
Between Mid-December and Mid-March: Tuesday-Sunday, 11AM to 3:00PM (last museum entry is 2:45PM), OR by prior appointment, 202-337-2288
Dumbarton House is closed on many Federal holidays; check www.DumbartonHouse.org for updates as the schedule is variable.
Dumbarton House is fully ADA accessible. Handicapped parking is available in our parking lot, located behind the garden at Q/27th Streets.
Admission: $5.00 per adult. Children, youth, and students-with-ID, receive free admission.
·Discount available to AAA members plus 3 guests when AAA discount card is presented.
·Admission is free to:The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America members, Museum Members, children with a paying adult, students with valid ID, AAM members, ICOM members, Historic House Museums Consortium of DC, and Treasury Department staff. There is no discount for seniors. Dumbarton House accepts the DC Power Pass.
·Dumbarton House is a Blue Star Museums partner, offering free tour admission for active duty military and their families (presenting military IDs) now through Sun., Sept. 5th.
Other info: Dumbarton House is the headquarters of The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America, a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes our national heritage through historic preservation, patriotic service and educational projects. The National Society purchased the home in 1928 as their headquarters, and opened it as a public museum in 1932. There are 45 societies of 16,000 members across the nation that own or operate 80 properties of historic and architectural significance, as well as contribute to patriotic projects and educational opportunities within their states.
Submitted by/Contact:
Missy Hoggan Groppel
Marketing & Events Manager
The Dumbarton House
Headquarters, The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America
Earlier this month, we announced our August Museum of the Month, The Goldstein Museum of Design. SMA recently conducted an interview with their director, Lin Nelson-Mayson. Check out what Lin had to say!
SMA: What is your name and position at the museum?
GMD: Lin Nelson-Mayson, Director
SMA: What is the best thing to see or do at your museum?
GMD: Exhibitions regularly explore design thinking and design process, linking contemporary design problems with ideas from across cultures and time.
SMA: What is the most surprising/interesting thing in your collection?
GMD: GMD's collection contains several ergonomic chairs. The earliest of these, from 1929, may have belonged to one of the Goldstein sisters, the museum's namesakes.
SMA: What do you hope people take away with them after visiting your museum?
GMD: We hope visitors leave with an awareness of the designed objects/spaces/systems in their lives and that design can help us live more harmonious lives.
SMA: What are some of the programs/exhibitions/services you offer at your museum?
GMD: GMD presents exhibitions in two locations at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities: 3-4 in McNeal Hall on the St. Paul campus and 4-6 in Rapson Hall on the Minneapolis campus. We present a wide range of programs on design and designers including lecture, panel discussions, films, and workshops, plus special events in collaboration with area cultural organizations. Designer, scholars, and students can make appointments to view items from the 28,000 piece collection. In addition, staff develops and presents programs for community groups that may include an on-site viewing of collection items.
SMA: Are there any fun stories about your museum?
GMD: As an academic museum, we employ undergrad students as gallery staff and grad students as collections and communications assistants. Gallery staff members become the installation crew between exhibitions and have learned to paint, install vinyl, and proper object-handling techniques. New members to the gallery staff are sometimes surprised to be involved in these tasks, but gain a sense of pride when they see visitors enjoying their contributions to the success of the exhibitions.
SMA: Besides your own, what is your favorite small museum and where is it located?
GMD: My favorite small museum other than GMD is the RossCountyHistoryMuseum, located in Chillicothe, Ohio. It was the first museum I attended as a child and later the first museum I worked for after graduate school.
SMA: What do you think small museums can do to become better and/or stronger?
GMD: Small museums have developed a much more active presence within the profession, emphasizing the value we add to our communities, the richness of our collections, and the unique experience people have as visitors and supporters. Continuing to work together collaboratively and increasing public awareness of our unique qualities will continue to build on this strong foundation.
SMA: Is there anything else you would like to share?
GMD: Thank you for selecting the Goldstein Museum of Design as the AugustMuseum of the Month. We have enjoyed sharing this honor with our academic and community colleagues.
Photos courtesy of the Goldstein Museum of Design. All copyright reserved.
Want to be a Small Museum of the Month? Learn more here!
* Mission * As an educational and cultural institution, the Goldstein Museum of Design advances the understanding and appreciation of design and cultivates an awareness that designed objects can contribute to quality of life by providing effective solutions to human challenges and aesthetic satisfaction.
* About * GMD is part of the University of Minnesota’s College of Design. GMD was founded in 1976 and is named after two legendary U of M design professors, Harriet and Vetta Goldstein, who taught design from 1910-1940s. Their teaching philosophy and personal collecting formed the basis for GMD’s collection and emphasis on design that touches people’s lives. The collection now contains over 26,000 objects that include clothing (the largest group), textiles, decorative arts, furniture, and graphic design. GMD presents 3-4 exhibitions in McNeal Hall and 6-8 in the HGA gallery in Rapson Hall. Exhibition topics explore design, including clothing, textiles, architecture, housing, furniture, and landscape architecture. Each exhibition is accompanied by 3-4 public programs. GMD shows collection objects to U of M classes, classes from area universities, and K-12 classes. The collection is a major design resource for local designers and is becoming increasingly accessible through an IMLS-funded digital database project.
* Visiting GMD * McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Avenue, on the Saint Paul, Minnesota campus contains the gallery (241), collection Research Center (333), and the administrative office (364). Gallery hours are:
* Tuesday – Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Thursday 10:00 am to 8:00 pm * Weekends 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
HGA Gallery at Rapson Hall, 80 Church Street, on the Minneapolis, Minnesota campus is open seven days a week. Both galleries are closed for University holidays.
Want to be a Small Museum of the Month? Learn more here!
Photo of Museum of the Month will be added to the front page of the SMA website shortly. All photos courtesy of the Goldstein Museum of Design. The three photos are of a class doing an artifact analysis from the collection and two images of exhibition openings - "Good Design: Stories from Herman Miller" and " Ethnic Dress and Folk Costume." The Herman Miller exhibition was organized and toured by the Muskegeon Museum of Art. The ethnic dress exhibition was organized by GMD from the collection.
Earlier this month, we announced our first Museum of the Month, The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. SMA recently conducted an interview with their director, Rae Proefrock. Check out what Rae had to say!
SMA: What is your name and position at the museum?
HCFM: Raphaelle A. Proefrock, Director
SMA: What is the best thing to see or do at your museum?
HCFM: Of course, a ride on our 1916 Allan Herschell “Number 1 Special” carrousel with the magical sounds of a Wurlitzer band organ is the best thing, but watching a wood carver or the band organ roll maker demonstrate is also great.
SMA: What is the most surprising/interesting thing in your collection?
HCFM: The different carved menagerie animals always delight visitors, but the hand carved “slaughter bull”, a test of strength for a carnival mid-way, is the most surprising.
SMA: What do you hope people take away with them after visiting your museum?
HCFM: Our goal is to share the history of carousel, rides and band organ production in North Tonawanda, but we hope visitors will also leave with an appreciation for the significant impact these products made on family recreation across the United States, as well as an appreciation for historic preservation.
SMA: What are some of your favorite programs/exhibitions/services that you offer at your museum?
HCFM: In keeping with the light hearted nature of the company products, the museum presents several family oriented events with entertainment, games, treats and crafts. We celebrate the medieval origin of the carrousel with a Renaissance Festival in June. Other events include a Teddy Bear Picnic, Halloween Spooktacular, and Santa on the Carrousel.
SMA: Are there any fun stories about your museum?
HCFM: Certain members and staff believe that the ghost of Allan Herschell roams the second floor of this historic building. I, personally, have never met him.
SMA: Besides your own, what is your favorite small museum and where is it located?
HCFM: I have always enjoyed the AdirondackMuseum in northern New York. Last year we visited the SlateValleyMuseum in Granville, NY and was greatly impressed with what it has been able to accomplish.
SMA: What do you think small museums can do to become better and/or stronger?
HCFM: I wish I knew the answer to this million dollar question. Essentially, we must continue to move forward and expand our services to the community, so that support is there when we really need it.
SMA: Is there anything else you would like to share?
HCFM: The HerschellCarrouselFactoryMuseum welcomes visitors from across the country and from numerous foreign countries each year. There is something of interest for everyone.
The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum is housed in and interprets the Allan Herschell Company factory building in North Tonawanda, New York. The building is listed on the NYS and National Registers of Historic Places. The museum has numerous exhibits and demonstrations that tell the story of the production of carousels, other rides, and band organs in the city. The Herschell companies were the world’s largest producers of amusement rides in the country until the late 1950’s. The museum has recently received a “Save America’s Treasures” grant to stabilize the wonderful wood trusses in the carving Shop. Numerous family events, carving classes, Children’s Gallery and other programming make this an active, exciting site to visit.
Want to be a Small Museum of the Month? Learn more here!
Photo of Museum of the Month will be added to the front page of the SMA website shortly. All photos courtesy of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum.
Does your small museum deserve to be a museum of the month for the SMA blog? Email us why at conference@smallmuseum.org. Make sure to include the following:
* 1 - 3 photos of your museum * Museum contact and visiting information * In 150 words or less, tell us why your museum is great! * Anything else you think might be relevant * Your contact information (not to be displayed on the blog)
All Museums of the Month will also be featured in our blog's link column, on the SMA Facebook groups' page, and on the SMA website.
Disclaimer: Please note that we periodically update our blog and cannot guarantee what date the materials will appear. Photographic materials continue to belong to their original owner, and credit will be made. Please let us know if we cannot use the image(s) in future marketing materials for SMA. Queries can be made to conference@smallmuseum.org. Thank you.
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