On Saturday, September 26, the whole family can enjoy a St. Joseph “day-cation” as participating museums from the Museum Association of St. Joseph join in the annual Museum Day, created by Smithsonian Magazine. In 2014, Museum Day drew nearly 7,000 visitors to local museums as they joined other cultural institutions nationwide in opening their doors free of charge. The event was created by Smithsonian Magazine as a way to celebrate America’s dynamic heritage and cultural life. Now in its 9th year, 40,000 institutions are expected to participate with St. Joseph, Missouri, museums joining the celebration in a big way. Some members of the Museum Association of St. Joseph will be providing guided tours while others will have extended hours and other special offerings for the day.
The participating Museum Association of St. Joseph members, their location, and their hours for Museum Day are: Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, 2818 Frederick, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fire Museum, 11th and Penn, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; National Military Heritage Museum, 701 Messanie, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Pony Express National Museum, 914 Penn, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Remington Nature Center, 1502 MacArthur Drive, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Robidoux Row Museum, 3rd and Poulin, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; St. Joseph Museum, Black Archives Museum, and the Glore Psychiatric Museum, 3406 Frederick Ave., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wyeth-Tootle Mansion, 11th and Charles, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Walter Cronkite Memorial, 4525 Downs Drive, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Andrew County Museum, 202 E. Duncan Drive in Savannah, Missouri, is also participating and they will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Many of the participating museums will feature special exhibits or activities during the Museum Day in addition to their permanent exhibits. At the Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art, a hands-on art activity will allow the entire family to create a masterpiece to take home with them. In their main floor gallery the featured exhibit will be “Double Visions” by John and Annie Louder. On the lower level, the photography of the late St. Joseph photographer Ival Lawhon, Jr., will be showcased in an exhibit called “Retrospective: St. Joseph and More.” On Museum Day only, the Andrew County Museum is offering a 50% discount on all items in their museum store. At the St. Joseph Fire Museum there will be cartoon characters to entertain young visitors and the chance to win a door prize. Guided tours of the history of mental health treatments will be given on the hour at the Glore Psychiatric Museum with the last tour beginning at 4 p.m. The Pony Express National Museum will have docents and junior docents to guide visitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours will include the new “Buffalo Bill in St. Joseph” exhibit. The exhibit includes original objects from Buffalo Bill’s personal and professional life that have a connection to St. Joseph and the Pony Express. The Pony School on the grounds will also be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every half hour the “school marm” will accept new students so they can have the one-room school experience. At the Robidoux Row Museum, visitors can enjoy punch and cookies as they explore what life was like in St. Joseph during the 1840s. In the American Indian Galleries at the St. Joseph Museum, visitors will have the opportunity to do a “make-it & take-it” craft project. At the Wyeth-Tootle Mansion, children can use their imagination as they use building blocks and other materials to create the house of their dreams.
“Museum Day has become a very popular St. Joseph cultural tradition. It’s designed to encourage all members of the community to experience the community’s incredible wealth of art, history, science, and wildlife — at no cost,” said Association President Andrea McCoy. “Our attendance grows every year as local residents take this opportunity to rediscover their own hometown. For visitors from outside the area, it’s a great opportunity to see all St. Joseph has to offer.”