As most know, executive director Ann Lowder retired on the 7th of September. She reports that she is enjoying not having to set her alarm clock, and that she is looking forward to travelling and spending more time with her family. She has already been on a trip to France and judged a flower show. If she is not careful, she will find herself with less personal time in retirement than she had while still working! We look forward to her continued input with some of our upcoming exhibitions. I met with her recently, along with Andrew Richmond and board member Rachel Menzer, to start hammering out the details of an exciting forthcoming exhibition on the pioneers of Ohio decorative arts and antiques collecting. Stay tuned, this will be a fun and insightful presentation that will be coming in 2021.
While Ann was in France, we installed a device that she has advocated having for years: a 26” smart high definition television. The audio-visual equipment – it is so much more than a mere TV – is capable of interfacing with I-phones, laptops and other devices. It can stream images and videos of exhibitions on our second floor, making them available to those who cannot manage stairs. This is the pinnacle for our ADA standards. It can also be used to highlight upcoming events. We are just beginning to discover all the potential and possibilities of the “smart” in our “smart television.”
One of the first events where the television’s usefulness was put to good use was Ann’s retirement party. Thirteen years of photos of Ann and her numerous friends and partners brought happy memories to the event that everyone enjoyed.
One morning while at the Museum, I had the pleasure of watching a class of kindergartners from Granville Elementary make their first attempts at cursive handwriting by following the hand of their instructor live on the television. The five-year-olds were totally immersed and clearly enjoying the experience. The television made it so much easier for them to follow in real time. Kudos to Stefanie Lauvray of Just Write for this innovative program. We are already planning this to continue, and to include all ages, for those who missed cursive classes while it was on hiatus in Ohio. I think this will be a great, fun program for all ages!
Peter Lowe, of Dawes Arboretum, made excellent use of the television one evening for his presentation of “Putting Your Garden to Bed.” The ease of use and integration with his laptop was seamless. The high definition images could be easily seen from anywhere in the room. Best of all, Peter’s wonderful commentary and deep knowledge taught every single person in the room (myself included!) a little something. We look forward to having Peter come back in the spring, and hope all our Granville gardeners will come, hear, and learn.
The “smart” television was the generous gift of the Granville Community Foundation, and for this we are tremendously grateful. The Foundation provides support for the arts, education, historic preservation and special events that truly define Granville. All of us at the Robbins Hunter Museum, its board, staff and volunteers, encourage you to support the Foundation and its programs. The Granville Community Foundation truly does make Granville special. In its short tenure at the museum, I cannot believe how much energy and enthusiasm has come forward just because of a “television”.