As much as winter is not my favorite season - getting four boys in snowsuits every morning on top of our regular morning routine is like a full time job before even coming to work - I don’t wish it away. There is something peacefully beautiful as I watch the snowflakes falling out my office window. 

Taking a moment to reflect back on 2019, remembering our “wow” moments that I want to recreate, what programs had the biggest impact on our visitors, and the little voices from the kiddos telling me all about their last trip here and how much they LOVE coming to the Museum. Sometimes there can be a misconception on the success of programs being the number of guests in attendance.

Of course my goal is to create programs that people want to come to, but my goal is also to develop a programming plan that is not being done elsewhere. Providing our County, and beyond, with cultural experiences that visitors may not otherwise be exposed to all while making memories within our welcoming walls.

This is my New Year’s goal - I don’t do resolutions necessarily, I do reflections. With every event I book, activity I create, or school program I develop I always ask myself these questions: is it different, is it engaging, is it educational, does it inspire continued learning, and will people walk away talking about the next event that they are excited to come to. We broke many milestones in 2019 and I cannot wait for you all to see what 2020 has in store.window.jpg

Although January appears to be a quiet month for us at the Museum, especially compared to the hustle and bustle of December, this month I am busily working behind the scenes. Sitting at my desk today enjoying the beautiful winter wonderland that is outside, I am researching and booking programs thinking about the warm summer months at the Macpherson House. This is the challenge for Museum programmers, creating thoughtful and purposeful programs that are relevant and new. When you have over 75 public programs a year (not including school visits), this takes some serious time, organization and creativity.

I also work closely with our curator and archivists to develop programs that fit within the themes of exhibits or popular research requests. Collaborating with the Napanee Library, we have a new offering this year too! Join us for PA day activities on January 31st from 10:00-2:00 for science and creative snow fun. Also, do not forget we have our kid’s nook that is packed with activities and available during any visit to the Museum.  

Our regular program schedule will return in February kicking off our 2020 programming schedule. On February 1st local artist Helen Kosmopoulos will be hosting a painting class for our Museum Kids at 10:00 and 10:45 am. Helen’s unique and endearing way of transforming acrylic paint into art will sure to be an inspiration to our kiddos. You can pre-register for this free event to guarantee your spot for this one-of-a-kind program through our website.  

pic 1 am.jpgOn February 1st at 2:00 pm Linda Corupe U.E. will be presenting The Hard Road Ahead – Addington Colonization Road. Being one of the first of over 400 colonization routes that had been built in the second half of the 19th century, it was this road that attracted new settlers to our area. The Tuesday Night at the Museum series starts off on February 18th at 7:00pm with artists Peter Large and Felicity Somerset who will be presenting and opening their exhibit TRACES that will be on display at the Museum until the end of March. Local Jazz phenom, Michelle Kasaboski, is performing LIVE at the Museum on February 27th at 7:00pm. Tickets for these three events are $3 and sold at the door.

For more information on all of the upcoming events you can visit our website at www.CountyMuseum.ca or on Facebook @CountyMuseum. Our spring program guide available at the Museum is also available at the Museum which offers a full look at this season's programs.am2.jpg

Enjoy the quiet, and probably some not so quiet, moments this winter. Even while tobogganing, visiting winter carnivals or sitting at home making puzzles with my kids I am taking in inspiration from my surroundings on what to do next here at the Museum. I look forward to seeing you around the Museum this winter. It is your presence alone that makes this ever-evolving and fast paced job the most rewarding.