The Museum
As a Social Studies teacher, of course I'd like to see a History component, but I'm not the only one. Bob Dougherty has been the President of the La Honda Historical Society, wrote the book about La Honda History, continues to publish the La Honda Voice, and made the display that's still there at school. Greg Timm has been the President of the Pescadero Historical Society, and along with old timer Ed Weeks, has led several versions of his "Pescadero Walking Tour" for groups of my students. Both have photos, artifacts, and resources to donate to a history museum about the local area. Further, I know of several other residents who would be willing to contribute items and/or wisdom to a school museum. We may be a small district, but we have a long history.
However, such a museum might not be the only use of such a space in one of the classrooms. It may be that the Science Lab, the Art Studio, or the Workshop don't have enough room for displays, so the museum could also serve as a gallery or an exhibition room for everything going on in the building. Further, it could serve as a library or archive for important books, documents, and other such materials. (Not unlike the Huntington Library in Southern California which is used both for exhibitions and research.)
Importantly, the students could be involved in creating the exhibits, writing captions for displays, and learning the art of curation. The museum should be a muse, amusing, and perhaps even musical - a performance space as well...?!
As a Social Studies teacher, of course I'd like to see a History component, but I'm not the only one. Bob Dougherty has been the President of the La Honda Historical Society, wrote the book about La Honda History, continues to publish the La Honda Voice, and made the display that's still there at school. Greg Timm has been the President of the Pescadero Historical Society, and along with old timer Ed Weeks, has led several versions of his "Pescadero Walking Tour" for groups of my students. Both have photos, artifacts, and resources to donate to a history museum about the local area. Further, I know of several other residents who would be willing to contribute items and/or wisdom to a school museum. We may be a small district, but we have a long history.
However, such a museum might not be the only use of such a space in one of the classrooms. It may be that the Science Lab, the Art Studio, or the Workshop don't have enough room for displays, so the museum could also serve as a gallery or an exhibition room for everything going on in the building. Further, it could serve as a library or archive for important books, documents, and other such materials. (Not unlike the Huntington Library in Southern California which is used both for exhibitions and research.)
Importantly, the students could be involved in creating the exhibits, writing captions for displays, and learning the art of curation. The museum should be a muse, amusing, and perhaps even musical - a performance space as well...?!