MUSEUM BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE FOR YOUTH THIS SUMMER

  

Blinn College’s Star of the Republic Museum is bringing history to life for local youths this summer with the launch of its new STARS (Students Thriving and Reaching Success) Program.

STARS smallThe program for students ages 6-14 teaches young minds to appreciate museums. At Star of the Republic, participants learn the story of the Republic of Texas through hands-on activities. After learning about the first Texans, Native Americans, participants explore the museum exhibits to learn about those who later settled in Texas. Each student was given a journal to record their experiences, and before leaving each child is given a book to keep.

Approximately 20 youths are participating in the program this summer.

“We realized that the majority of youth in our local community had never visited the museum,” said Anne McGaugh, curator of education.  “We have a lot to offer today’s youth, and felt like we should do our part to foster a life-long appreciation for museums, history, learning and reading.”

 

In addition to using the museum’s exhibits to teach youths about Texas history, Star of the Republic is also taking advantage of all that Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site has to offer. On Thursday, STARS Program students visited Barrington Living History Farm, where they toured the home of Anson Jones, the final president of the Republic of Texas, and saw how the Jones family and others lived during the period. Interpreters dressed in period-style clothing led the participants on a tour of the farm to help them understand what life was like 150 years ago.

Jotore Moore, an 8-year-old who attends Alton Elementary School, said he enjoyed seeing how Texas settlers lived during the days of the Republic.

“In a book, sometimes it’s too hard for you and you can’t understand it,” he said. “Here, they show you everything and you can understand it better.”

The STARS Program began in response to a call to action by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to engage in comprehensive learning strategies to grow young minds. The STARS Program was designed to teach each participant that museums are fun, welcoming places, increase literacy and good citizenship, and teach participants to recognize their role in the stewardship of their heritage.

“We wanted to participate in that call to action and show the children the museum is a place where young learners come for entertainment and enjoyment and knowledge-seeking, and help them develop a lifelong love of learning and education and museums,” McGaugh said.

At the end of the program, students will receive certificates and gold star pins and will be recognized as “museum stars” in a poster that will be hung in the museum.

Star of the Republic Museum was created by the Texas Legislature and is administered by Blinn College as a cultural and educational institution. Its purpose is to collect and preserve the material culture of the Texas Republic from 1836-1846 and to interpret the history, cultures, diversity and values of early Texans.

The museum is located at Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site at 23200 Park Road 12, Washington, Texas, off Highway 105. From Highway 105, follow either FM 912 or FM 1155 to Park Road 12. Daily museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.starmuseum.org or call 936-878-2461, ext. 237.  Story, photos and audio courtesy of Blinn College.

 

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