Star Museum Press Releases

Date: February 16, 2010
Contact: Anne McGaugh
Phone: (936) 878-2461 x 237
Fax: (936) 878-2462
E-mail: amcgaugh@blinn.edu

Star of the Republic Museum Receives Highest National Recognition: Awarded Re-Accreditation from the American Association of Museums

WASHINGTON, TX (2/16/10) – Star of the Republic Museum has again achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition afforded the nation’s museums. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. Star of the Republic Museum was initially accredited in 1972. All museums must undergo a reaccreditation review at least every 10 years to maintain accredited status.

AAM Accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for 35 years, AAM’s museum accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability. It strengthens the museum profession by promoting practices that enable leaders to make informed decisions, allocate resources wisely, and remain financially and ethically accountable - all in order to provide the best possible service to the public.

Of the nation’s estimated 17,500 museums, just over 4% are currently accredited. Star of the Republic Museum is one of only 40 accredited museums in Texas.

“This is an accomplishment of which you can be very proud,” said Senator John Cornyn of Texas. “The Star of the Republic Museum plays a vital role in the cultural and intellectual advancement of Texans. Your efforts continue to serve as an example for the State of Texas, and I encourage you to continue to pursue excellence in the years to come.”

Accreditation is a very rigorous but highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation a museum first must conduct a year of self-study, then undergo a site visit by a team of peer reviewers. AAM’s Accreditation Commission, an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals, considers the self-study and visiting committee report to determine whether a museum should receive accreditation. While the time to complete the process varies by museum, it generally takes as much as three years.

“Accreditation is emblematic of an institution’s commitment to public service and to overall excellence,” said Ford W. Bell, AAM president. “Attaining accreditation involves taking a hard look at yourself, allowing your peers in the field to do the same, and being judged to be superior in all areas. The local community can take great pride in the fact that their institution is one of America’s premier museums.”

Daily museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Star of the Republic Museum, administered by Blinn College, is located in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, off Highway 105 on F. M. 1155 between Brenham and Navasota. For more information, call (936) 878-2461 or go to the website: www.starmuseum.org

The American Association of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. With more than 15,000 individual, 3,000 institutional, and 300 corporate members, AAM is dedicated to ensuring that museums remain a vital part of the American landscape, connecting people with the greatest achievements of the human experience, past, present and future. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.

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Date: January 20, 2010
Contact: Al Meyer
Barrington Living History Farm:
936-878-2214 ext. 246 or
email: almeyers@centurytel.net

“Making Every Stitch Count”

On January 30-31, 2010, from 10:00-4:00, Washington-on the-Brazos State Historic Park will be hosting an event entitled “Making Every Stitch Count.” Men and women of the early frontier were, by necessity, required to have knowledge of many skills that today we take for granted. Today, we can go to the store and buy ready-made clothing, linens and decorations for our home. We have no concept of the hours that go into these items, especially if they are homemade. Throughout the park, artisans will be demonstrating the various textile skills early Texans used for survival to make clothing and bedding and for decoration to make their house a “home.” In order to develop a better appreciation of these skills, visitors can observe as well as learn these skills through hands-on activities.

In conjunction with the demonstrations (quilting, spinning, weaving, rug hooking, and fancywork), the Brenham Friendship Quilters Guild will be hosting a Quilt Show in the Conference Center, artisans will be demonstrating in the Education Center, The Star of the Republic Museum will have displays and information on the extensive selection of textiles located throughout the museum, Barrington Living History Farm will be interpreting 1850s textile skills, and the Visitor Center will have various displays plus retail items for sale.

Regular admission fees will apply at each site or the Brazos Pass ($9.00 per adult, $6.00 per student) can be purchased for ALL the day’s activities.

Date: December 15, 2009
Contact: Anne McGaugh
Phone: (936) 878-2461 x 237
Fax: (936) 878-2462
E-mail: amcgaugh@blinn.edu

The Star of the Republic Museum will open a new exhibit entitled “The First Texans: Living Green” in celebration of Texas Independence Day 2010. Included in the exhibit will be archeological artifacts from the Texas Archeological Research Laboratory at The University of Texas at Austin and the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History. Pottery and stone, bone and shell tools of the indigenous people who lived in Texas at the time of European contact will be on display. Also included in the exhibit will be woven netting, matting, basketry and sandals that were preserved in the dry rock shelters of West Texas.

The exhibit focuses on the subsistence strategies and use of natural resources by these early Texans. See the tools that they used to hunt, farm and fish.

“The First Texans: Living Green” will be on exhibit from February 27 – August 31, 2010.

Date: September 15, 2009
Contact: Jodi Jungman
Phone: (936) 878-2461 x 236
Fax: (936) 878-2462
E-mail: jodi.jungman@blinn.edu

The Star of the Republic Museum is holding a monthly story time, “Texas Tots,” for preschool children age 3-5 on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. During “Texas Tots,” a craft or activity will be offered which follows the story theme. Themes center around Texas history and cultures, and will include topics such as Native American Heritage, Texas Wildflowers, and Tall Tales.
The cost for the program will be $3 per participating child, to help cover the expense of craft supplies. Adults will pay the public admission fee of $5, or may choose to purchase a $9 three-site Brazos Pass, good for admission to the Star of the Republic Museum, Barrington Living History Farm, and/or Independence Hall. There is no admission fee for children under 6 at Barrington Farm and Independence Hall.

“Texas Tots” will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Advance reservations are required, as seating is limited. Payment is due at the time of reservation. Families must register individually.
The first “Texas Tots” session is coming up on Tuesday, October 20. The theme of the session will be German Heritage. The story will be "Max & Martha: The Twins of Fredericksburg" by Marjorie Von Rosenberg. Children will create their own edelweiss hats in celebration of Oktoberfest.

Daily museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Star of the Republic Museum, administered by Blinn College, is located in Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site, off Highway 105 on F. M. 1155 between Brenham and Navasota. For more information, call (936) 878-2461 or go to the website: www.starmuseum.org.
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