Rockbridge Museums:
What do We Have?;
What do We Do?;
Why do We
Matter?
Launching Kendal’s Year-Long Series:
“Knowing Rockbridge”
Panelists:
Keith Gibson, VMI
Lynn Rainville, W&L
Eric Wilson, RHS
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 3:00
Kendal Hall
FREE, Reception to Follow
There are many museums in our Rockbridge area: five clustered in downtown Lexington alone, not counting its range of art galleries, and school and church archives. All tell the story of our area in different ways. Each month in 2020, as part of a series titled “Knowing Rockbridge: Connecting the History and Culture of our Home,” Kendal at Lexington will host talks spotlighting an individual museum or attraction, with follow up visits to the various sites.
A roundtable discussion with three experts involved in area and university museums will introduce the series’ broad themes: Lynn Rainville, the newly appointed Director of Institutional History, Washington & Lee University; Keith Gibson, Executive Director, Virginia Military Institute Museum System; and Eric Wilson, Director for History, Virginia Association of Museums and Executive Director Rockbridge Historical Society and Museum. All three are involved in gathering and telling the stories of the people, places, and institutions in our area: helping local residents and visitors appreciate how the past informs our senses of community today.
Panelists will address the following questions:
- Why do stories of the past matter, and why do we preserve them?
- How do we go about exploring the past?
- What contexts are important in understanding an event, evolving traditions, a ‘sense of place’ and its context?
- Who are some of the people & groups who’ve shared efforts to collect the stories of our past?
- How does a museum begin, and how are they evolving today?
- How can your OWN range of personal experiences and interests continue to their relevance, growth, and impact today?
The audience will also be invited to share their own questions, experiences, and suggestions for the interactive range of activities and discoveries the year will bring.
At Kendal Hall, free and open to all, with drinks and reception to follow.
For more details on the Kendal’s “Knowing Rockbridge” series at large: kalex.kendal.org/events