Thursday, August 21, 2008

Museum wraps up successful start to Hands on History program!

This July, we began a new program series at the Augusta Museum of History - Hands on History, which allowed children to take a hands-on approach to history and learn about a specific theme within the Museum's collections. Each session focuses on a particular historical craft or activity which relates to our exhibitions and collections.

On July 30th, we held a Hands on History centered around Pottery. After viewing the Museum’s collection of pottery, including Edgefield pottery, face jugs, and a piece by famed freed slave potter, Dave, young visitors tried creating their own clay masterpiece. With the help of the Museum Education Department, children learned different ways of decorating pottery pieces (stab and jab, stamping, and other techniques) and learned both the coil and pinch pot techniques. It was amazing to see what these young creative artists were able to imagine and create!

We will continue Hands on History programs in the Fall and now have the option available for teachers to bring their class. Stay tuned for more hands-on programs to learn all about history in a creative and engaging way!


Museum film focuses on black Southern cinema

The following appeared in the August, 21, 2008 edition of The Augusta Chronicle:

"Museum film focuses on black Southern cinema"
Written by Nikasha Dicks
August 21, 2008

The theater at the Augusta Museum of History provides visitors with yet another window to the past.

"Our theater seats about 100 people, and it has a full screen like you would see in a movie theater," said Heather Sellers, the museum's education manager. "It's more engaging, especially for school groups, when you have a theaterlike atmosphere, and it's a good way for them to get specialized information."

Each month, a documentary film is shown in the theater. Past films have included Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives; Cartoons Go to War; and The Rise of the Southern Biscuit. This month's film is on black Southern cinema. (read more...)

Monday, August 18, 2008

Girl Scouts: 2008 - 2009

Girl Scouts love History!

Our Scouting Program had tremendous success with it's initial unveiling in Early 2008, and we are so pleased to offer a full year of programming for Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia beginning in September 2008 and continuing through May 2009!!!

Explore the world of Museums, earn Try-Its, Badges, and Interest Projects and meet new friends at the Augusta Museum of History!

The Museum offers exciting and interactive weekend workshops for Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior Girl Scouts to earn Try-Its, Badges, and Interest Projects. On scheduled Saturday mornings, from 9:00 - 12:00, girls will participate in activities to help them complete their Badge requirements (please remember that the Augusta Museum of History does not provide badges, but Particpation Patches are availble for purchase in the Museum Shop).

Minimum of 8 Scouts, Maximum of 30 Scouts. Chaperones are required (please follow Safety-wise guidelines)

All Badge Programs are $8 per Scout

FALL 2008 DATES

Brownie Girl Scout Day
Me and My Shadow Try-It

September 6, 2008
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Brownie Girl Scouts will learn how much fun they can have with their shadow. The girls will create their own silhouette work of art, play shadow finger puppets and more!
$8 per Scout/ Free for Adults. Reservations are required by calling the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River council office at (706) 774-0505.


Junior Girl Scout Day
Now and Then: Stories From Around the World

October 25, 2008
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Junior Girl Scouts will explore myths and legends that have been passed down from generation to generation, from European fairy tales to Native American legends. These stories were meant to teach lessons, entertain, or explain natural phenomena. Create your own modern fairy tale and watch footage of an award winning Native American storyteller. $8 per Scout/ Free for Adults. Reservations are required by calling the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River council office at (706) 774-0505.

Cadette/ Senior Girl Scout Day
Heritage Hunt Interest Project

November 8, 2008
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Using the collections on view in the exhibit, Augusta’s Story, Cadettes and Seniors will explore the past in comparison to their lives today and earn their Heritage Hunt Interest Project. They will explore their own heritage and those of women who came before them by viewing historic documents and photos; experiencing past trades like weaving on a loom and churning butter; designing their own Family Trees; and comparing women’s lives in the past to their own today. $8 per Scout/ Free for Adults. Reservations are required by calling the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River council office at (706) 774-0505.

SPRING 2009 DATES

Junior Girl Scout Day
Women’s Stories Badge
March 14, 2009
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Celebrate Women’s History Month with the Augusta Museum of History. Junior Girl Scouts will look at women in the news and stories of female role models. Scouts will create a collage and their own women’s history game. $8 per Scout/ Free for Adults. Reservations are required by calling the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River council office at (706) 774-0505.

Cadette/ Senior Girl Scout Day
Women Through Time Interest Project

March 21, 2009
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Celebrate Women’s History Month with the Augusta Museum of History. Compare the lives and roles of woman in past decades to today using the Museum’s exhibit, Augusta’s Story and primary resources. Scouts will also learn a domestic art or craft practiced by women in the past that has been replaced by technology. $8 per Scout/ Free for Adults. Reservations are required by calling the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River council office at (706) 774-0505

Junior Girl Scout Day
Folk Art Badge

April 25, 2009
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Junior Girl Scouts will see a different side to the exhibit Augusta’s Story by learning about the arts and crafts of the past. Take a Scavenger Hunt through the Museum, play historic games and toys, enjoy story time, create your own family portrait after viewing the portraits in the Museum’s collection, and earn your own Folk Art Badge. $8 per Scout/ Free for Adults. Reservations are required by calling the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River council office at (706) 774-0505.

Brownie Girl Scout Day
Through the Years Try-It

May 16, 2009
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Brownie Girl Scouts will learn about fashion, films, song, and slang from different decades to earn their Through the Years Try-It. They will also have the opportunity to view the award-winning exhibit, Augusta’s Story. $8 per Scout/ Free for Adults. Reservations are required by calling the Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River council office at (706) 774-0505.

Interested in a different date?

Alternative Dates are Available By Appointment!
Through a collaboration with Girl Scouts, Central Savannah River Council to educate and excite girls about history, Brownie, Junior, Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts are invited to join the Augusta Museum of History for Scout Days to earn Try-Its, Badges, and Interest Projects. Programs are available by appointment. Minimum participation of 8 Scouts. Each participant will earn a badge at the end of the program. Contact Heather Sellers at the Augusta Museum of History at (706) 722-8454 or hsellers@augustamuseum.org for more information and to schedule.

Only $8 per shout! Plus admission is waived for the day for Scouts and chaparones to explore the Museum!

Call the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia Council to register for Badge Days, space is limited, so register early!