Saturday, May 9, 2009 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
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Visit these participating museums: |
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Goodman-LeGrand Museum 624 N. Broadway |
Cotton Belt Depot 210 E. Oakwood |
Discovery Science Place 308 N. Broadway |
Smith County Historical Society 125 S. College |
CITY OF TYLER COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
Susan Guthrie, APR
Communications Director
Office 903.533.7444
Cell 903.920.8070
sguthrie@tylertexas.com
Downtown museums celebrate Heritage, Preservation Month with open house
Downtown Tyler’s four museums are joining together to celebrate National Historic Preservation Month by declaring Saturday “Tyler Heritage Day” and holding open houses at three museums and having special displays at all locations. The event is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at:
- the Goodman-LeGrand Museum, 624 N. Broadway;
- Discovery Science Place, 308 N. Broadway;
- the Cotton Belt Depot, 210 E. Oakwood; and,
- Smith County Historical Society, 125 S. College.
Each museum will hold its own special activities. A small entry fee will be charged at Discovery, while admittance to the three historical museums will be free during the event.
The Goodman will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the building’s construction with a 150th birthday party. Costumed reenactors will portray Dr. W.J. Goodman and his family and “friends of the family” will offer musical selections played on the violin. Refreshments in keeping with the home’s era will be served, and heritage crafts will be demonstrated on the grounds. Horse-and-buggy rides will be available for a small fee.
The Cotton Belt Depot, which shares with the Goodman the distinction of being on the National Register of Historic Places, will greet visitors with ever-popular displays of miniature trains, train memorabilia and refreshments.
Though Discovery Science Place is not technically an historically oriented museum, the facility is commemorating the occasion by offering information on the “green” nature of historic preservation.
The Smith County Historical Society will join in the event by opening its doors at 125 S. College. The SCHS facility is also on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors will be able to ask questions of SCHS volunteers who will be posted throughout the building.
Robert Reed, president of SCHS and author of the photographic history book, Tyler, will lead walking history tours. There will be two separate tours, each covering a different aspect of downtown Tyler. Both tours will originate at the SCHS building, with the first departing at noon and the next at 2 p.m. Reed said those interested in participating in one tour may do so by contributing a $3 donation to SCHS, or $5 for two tours.
“Each tour will last approximately one hour, and participants should wear comfortable walking shoes,” Reed said.
Visitors to SCHS should park on the street, due to nearby construction, and enter the museum via its east door, which faces College Avenue. There is a ramp for handicapped access at the north door, Reed said.
Visitor to all of the museums will have the chance to win a prize basket valued at over $250. In addition, the first 100 mothers at the open house will receive a free flower.
The Museums Alliance, a committee of the Tyler Main Street Department, held a similar event in December, said Main Street Director Beverly Abell.
“We were overwhelmed by the public’s response to that event,” Abell said, “and we hope that this commemoration of Historic Preservation Month generates the same crowds. It’s a great opportunity to absorb our unique history and enjoy some wonderful historic settings,” Abell said, concluding, “We think it’s a perfect opportunity this Mother’s Day weekend to take Mom downtown to enjoy the event.”
The downtown museums open house is a project of the City of Tyler’s Main Street Department, which has the mission of downtown revitalization. Those who want more information should call Main Street at (903) 593-6905 or go to www.heartoftyler.com.
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