Mission Strong as Seasons Change

By Lori Meads, Education Curator

The seasons seem to change quicker and quicker, and with that, the museum seems to follow the same path with all that is planned.

History for Lunch will continue the first and third Wednesday of each month at noon in the Gaither Auditorium. If you cannot make the educational program in person, the museum will continue with Zoom and posting videos to view later from the museum’s YouTube channel.

In October, the museum will welcome Joan Maxwell, president of Regulator Marine, to open the museum’s newest exhibit Rock of the Eye: Boatbuilding Traditions Around the Albemarle Sound. She also will be the guest speaker for the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle’s annual meeting. Following the opening, staff and volunteers will transition quickly as the museum will be the site of the 62nd Albemarle Craftsman’s Fair (October 27-30). Visitors will have the opportunity to visit with some of the craftspeople at work in the Our Story gallery on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and on Sunday at 1 p.m. for a more in-depth demonstration of their craft.

On November 3, the museum will open Working Birds: Decoys and Their Carvers. Kroghie Andresen, author of Gunnin’ Birds A Comprehensive Guide To The Decoys Of Back Bay, Virginia, and Currituck And Dare County In North Carolina, will be the guest speaker for the opening. He will focus on Sid Daughtridge’s decoy collection, on display. The Carolina Decoy Carvers Association will gather on November 4 for an informative educational program that will include a lunch. Registration is open to the public.

The Designers’ Workshop will return on November 19, 2022. Registered guests can design and construct their own unique no-sew quilted Christmas ornament with instructions from members of the Colonial Quilt Lovers Guild. A light lunch and all supplies are included in the fee.

1970s CHRISTMAS CARD

Courtesy Museum of the Albemarle collection

The museum welcomes the public and scheduled groups to Back to Christmas, 1970s. There will be 1970s games, crafts, music, books, and decorations for all ages to enjoy. Dress in 1970s attire and take a picture in front of the lobby’s Christmas tree decorated in a 1970s theme. The museum welcomes scheduled groups December 1 through 16 and at the Annual Open House, Saturday, December 3.

The Lovin’ Oven will be spreading holiday cheer on Friday, December 2 with freshly baked gingerbread houses ready for individuals of all ages to decorate. Participants can design their own house with a wide variety of candies, cookies, cereals, and surprise finds. Staff does the cleanup, and you go home with a marvelous gingerbread creation to enjoy throughout the season from our Annual Gingerbread Workshop.

The museum will usher in the new year with Crossroads: Change in Rural America, a part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and the North Carolina Humanities Council. The exhibit will offer visitors a chance to reflect on how rural America has changed with a focus on northeastern North Carolina and how they view the future. Educational programming currently is being planned to host guest speakers that can enhance the understanding of the past and the present that will create reflection, evaluation, and conversation.

The Museum of the Albemarle has educational programming for all ages, for we are all lifelong learners.