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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Museum Of Science And History Advisory Committee - 10/03/2002 } 10 9-59-2 MINUTES Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History Advisory Committee Meeting October 3, 2002 The Museum Advisory Committee met in the Museum at Noon on Thursday, October 3. 2002. Members Present: Phyllis Riddle, Joe Martinez, Pat Bacak-Clements, Tony Diaz, Lynda Falconer, Mary Longoria, and Anna Peterson. • Upon motion by Pat Bacak-Clements and seconded by Lynda Falconer the minutes of the September 5, 2002 meeting were unanimously approved. Upon motion by Phyllis Riddle and seconded by Pat Bacak-Clements, the absences of Joe Martinez and Tony Diaz were unanimously excused for good cause. Chairman's remarks: Appointments have not yet been made to replace members whose terms have expired (Mary Longoria, Kathy Heymann, and Patricia Bacak-Clements). These members continue to serve until replaced by the Mayor and Council. Business: a. There were 350 people present for the opening of the Corpus Christi History Gallery. The event was hosted by Mayor Pro Tern Mark Scott. Although the exhibit is not yet completed, we have received very positive feedback. There will be gradual enhancements added to the exhibit. Over the weekend of the sesquicentennial celebration over 1,400 people took advantage of the special $1.50 admission fee. Wednesday, September 11 admission was free but attendance was very low. The results of the survey of visitors taken that week demonstrated a very diverse audience. Sixty-one families participated in the survey representing 22 countries of origin. The average date of immigration to the United States was 1836. b. In association with the Corpus Christi History exhibit, there will be a number of small exhibits to recognize other historical milestones. The first of these is a panel exhibit by the Texas Society of Civil Engineers which is celebrating its 150'" anniversary. Next year the First Methodist Church will produce a sesquicentennial exhibit. c. The Landmark Commission received a grant from the Texas Historical Commission to support the production of a series of videos celebrating the sesquicentennial. The Sesquicentennial Commission failed to raise the matching money needed to fulfill the vision for this series of videos. The Museum is now working with the Landmark Commission to produce a video with Quadrant Productions that will be used in the Corpus Christi History exhibit and provided to teachers as a Museum pre-visit experience. The working title is, "The Way It Was." d. A number of issues were touched upon as subjects for future discussions: 1)There might be a need to re-examine the Museum missions statement as future exhibit and program topics under consideration veer away from the collection based programming envisioned in the present mission. 2) Texas A & M University- Corpus Christi has notified the Museum that they will no longer offer the Field School due to low enrollment over the past couple summers. The SCANNED Advisory Committee Meeting October 3, 2002 Page 2 Museum is investigating whether there might be other colleges/universities interested in offering academic credit for the program. It is hoped that schools offering majors in anthropology might wish adopt the program to provide a South Texas field school experience for their students. 3) The Friends of the Museum have asked Doug Wade to implement part of the landscaping plan on the Watergarden side of the North Building. 4)-There was a short discussion of the implication on Bayfest posed by construction of the Arena and Convention Center. It is possible that Bayfest could become even more intrusive.to the Museum as they look for alternative space. 5) In an upcoming meeting the Committee will be asked to review the fee schedule and rental plans for facility uses. This is a growing business that needs some careful scrutiny. 6)There is also increased teacher interest in using the Museum. The Informal Science Educators used the Museum as the site for area science educators to showcase their offerings to teachers. The Museum will be sponsoring teacher institutes over the next two summers teaching teachers how to integrate local history in the regular history curriculum. There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.