President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Mike Ratliff provided the opening prayer. Bill MacLauchlan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held by Zoom due to COVID-19 meeting restrictions. Joe Bost thanked those who helped with today’s meeting.
Mark then introduced today’s guest speaker, Laura Hansen. Ms. Hansen is the National Outreach Manager at Smithsonian Affiliations. She manages over 50 of the Institution’s strategic partnerships in 11 states.
The Smithsonian consists of 19 museums and a zoo. One of the museums is “The Castle.” The zoo began at The Castle in a corral on the property. Many of the Institution’s museums are in the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Created in 1846, the Smithsonian is the largest museum research facility in the world.
It was founded in 1855 with a bequest made by James Smithson. He was a research scientist and left a bequest valued at one-half million dollars. Interestingly, Smithson never visited the United States of America. Congress used his bequest for things other than what he specified and therefore had to repay the money. In 1904 Alexander Graham Bell moved Smithson’s grave and markers to the United States.
Unfortunately, some of the museums are not open due to the pandemic. Laura notes that one-third of all museums will likely not make it financially through the end of the year.
The Smithsonian has 201 affiliations, including the Mississippi Department of Achieves and History. The affiliations are found in 46 states and attract thirty-six million visitors annually. They sponsor 277 public programs annually and house 1,201 artifacts in 31 exhibitions. The Smithsonian has 155 million objects. Most of them are scientific specimens. The Mars rover is operated, with the consultation of researchers and scientists, from the National Aeronautics Space Museum. The compass used by Lewis and Clark is on display in one of their museums. There is a 1940 school bus on display. Many of the adults who, as children, rode the bus were interviewed in the research process.
Facing the pandemic, the Institution realized it needed to change operations. They are sharing exhibits with their Affiliations, they are offering lectures and special programs. They have in the past, offered an annual convention to stay connected with Affiliate staff. Those have moved to virtual meetings.
Laura then introduced Pamela Junior. Pamela is the Director of the Mississippi Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Both are state agencies. The Civil Rights Museum was opened in 2017.
There are many exhibits in the museum reflecting Mississippi’s history. The 20 Star Flag which was our state’s flag in 1818 is on display. The cotton gin, the Mississippi Freedom Struggle, the Emmett Till story, and exhibits showing the Medgar Evers assignation are also on display. As a Freedom Rider, one of the employees at the museum was arrested and spent one week on death row at Parchman State Prison.
Both Mississippi museums are open. They operate from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon until 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Mark thanked today’s speakers. He then reminded members that the club will contribute to the Homes of Hope as our quarterly focus. He encouraged members to contribute to the club for this project. He also noted that the next two club meetings will take place via Zoom.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mark thanked those who were able to attend today’s meeting and adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”