BY PATTY WAGNER
Curator of education | Posted: Thursday, January 17, 2008 12:00 am
A major new exhibit, "This Train is Bound for Glory: Racine County's Underground Railroad," will open in February at Racine Heritage Museum, 701 Main St. The museum is proud to offer this major, exclusive exhibit documenting the role Racine County played in the Underground Railroad. This train maps the pathways leading through Racine County and portrays the gripping stories of people fleeing slavery and those who helped them.
The exhibit features include a crawl-through barrel, a pier, a touch-screen computer adventure, an area focusing on community action and much more. This new exhibit is designed by Crux Inc. out of Lake Geneva, the same firm that designed Racine Heritage Museum's "An Amazing Journey: the Life and Legacy of Laurel Clark."
While the researching, writing and preparation for the exhibit has been constant for more than two years, the second floor's landing has been closed for the past seven weeks as painters and exhibit installers work. Community members from the county have helped develop and review exhibit story lines.
The exhibit opens to the public on Sunday, Feb. 17, during normal museum hours from noon to 4 p.m. There is no admission fee. The museum was recognized in 2001 as a National Underground Network to Freedom facility. This exhibit is funded in part through grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the SC Johnson Company and the Racine Community Foundation.
Another new exhibit
Phase 1 of a new exhibit, "Planting Roots in Racine County," also will open Feb. 17 in the south wing of the upstairs exhibit area. This exhibit focuses on Racine County's formative years from 1850-1890, highlighting immigrant groups, Camp Utley and early industry in the county before horsepower was replaced with steam power. This exhibit will continue to undergo a transformation throughout 2008.
Maritime exhibit reopens
The museum's upstairs north wing also will be undergoing a transformation during 2008. The maritime room will outline Racine County's tie to its waterways and the history of the area as a maritime community. Throughout the year, the exhibit will be reconfigured to highlight boat manufacturing (featuring Fred Martin drawings), harbor development, North Beach, the county's waterways, lighthouses and, in addition, a permanent presentation space will be developed in this wing.
Programming
RHM has special spring programming planned for girl and boy scout groups as well as home-schooling groups:
* On Sunday, Feb. 24, from 12:30-3:30 p.m., RHM invites all Tiger Scouts and their parents to an afternoon of "Museum Go See It!" Scouts are able to come anytime between those hours and enjoy an activity-sheet led tour of the museum as well as a mini exhibit featuring seldom displayed scouting items from our permanent collection. There is no charge for the program and reservations are not needed. Boy Scouts also will receive 10 percent off that day in the museum's store.
* On Sunday, March 9, RHM will offer a program enabling Girl Scouts to earn their "Through the Years" badge. Program times are 12:30-1:30 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Registration is required and can be made by calling the Girls Scout office at (262) 598-0909; space is limited.
* Thursday, May 1, will bring RHM's first Homeschoolers Day, designed for all homeschoolers. Programs are offered from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30-2 p.m. and feature age appropriate activity sheets and hands-on artifact handling. There is a fee of $2 per student. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Patty Wagner at (262) 636-3926. Spots are limited so call today.
* On Sunday, May 4, RHM will open its 1888 Schoolhouse for scout and home-schooling groups. Due to volunteer staffing, RHM is only able to offer programming to school groups throughout the fall and spring, but want everyone to be able to experience the schoolhouse. Scouting or student groups are welcome to visit the schoolhouse from 12:30-1:30 p.m. or 2-3 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Patty Wagner at (262) 636-3926. Space is limited. There is a fee of $2 per student. The schoolhouse is located on the corner of 5 Mile Road and Highway 31.
Call the museum at (262) 636-3926 for more information.