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Home My WebLink About8.1 Heritage Park & Museums Programs-Update OF Dp~~2 ~ 82 AGENDA STATEMENT HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING DATE: September 9, 2010 SUBJECT: Heritage Park & Museums Programs -Update Report Prepared by Elizabeth Isles, Heritage Center Director ATTACHMENTS: 1) Calendar of Events - 2010-2011 RECOMMENDATION: Receive Report FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: The following is a report on planned Heritage Park & Museums programs and activities for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 and a recap of the results of programming for the previous fiscal year: Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Recau and Accomnlishments: WORKSAOPS: The program continued successfully with eight workshops including: • October-Harvest Workshop • November-Danish Workshop • December-Holiday Workshop • February-Victorian Valentines Workshop • April-Victorian Nature Crafts Workshop • May-May Day Workshop • June-Cowboy Workshop • July-Ice Cream Social Workshop Of the eight workshops offered, two of the workshops stood out including the Danish Workshop and the Ice Social. The Danish Workshop attracted a large audience with as many adults and seniors as children. All were amused by "Hans Christian Andersen" and enjoyed watching the appleskievers being made and tasting them. The Ice Cream Social experienced a leap in attendance this year with approximately 500 participants enjoying the added events of a Parade of Wheels, Pie Contest and expanded hours. COPIES TO: ITEM NO.: 8.1 G:\HERITAGE COMMISSION\AGENDA_STMTS\2010\9-9 Item 8.1 Heritage Park Programs 2010-201 l.doc HOLIDAY TEA: For the second consecutive year, the program sold out. Dublin's Mayor, Tim Sbranti, volunteered his time and poured tea far this lively event. The entree was catered this year which allowed the volunteers to focus their efforts on customer service and a smoothly executed Tea. IWSH TEA COTTAGE: Also in its second year, this program augments the St. Patrick's Day Celebration and was well attended, receiving favorable feedback from visitors who enjoyed the tea and scones, crafts, storytelling and the Dublin Irish Jam Band. EXHIBITS: The "Minnie Martin" Exhibit, held in the Murray Schoolhouse Little Classroom, opened with a preview party on April 20`h. A book was produced for the Exhibit and over 100 photographs were scanned and added to the archives. The Exhibit featured original family furnishings and personal artifacts. ORAL HISTORY PROJECT: The program got underway through the work of the Committee, Consultant Terry Lee Berry and a group of trained volunteers. The Committee established protocols for an ongoing program that now is in effect and produced four Oral Histories of former and current notable Dublin residents. MUSEUM ASSESSMENT PROGRAM: The second Museum Assessment Program-Public Dimension Phase II was completed over the past year. Consultant, Nancy Bryk conducted an exhaustive study of the Heritage Center operations and programs over three days and completed a report and recommendations. Completion of the MAP-Phase II brings the Dublin Heritage Park and Museums closer to the long range goal of accreditation. TOUR PROGRAM: The school tour program was enriched this year thanks to the work of a newly formed Education Committee and financial support by the Dublin San Ramon Women's Club. A Binder/Kit was produced and distributed to over thirty public and private classrooms in Dublin. VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: The volunteer program grew over the last year to increase numbers of volunteers in three categories: • "General Volunteers" to provide staff for public events and a variety of functions. • "Docents" who are specially trained volunteers to provide tours to visitors. • "Collections Volunteers" who perform specialized duties in caring for the Collections. The number of volunteers grew by 20% for General Volunteers, 5% for pocents and 100% for Collections. This is the first year that volunteers are working behind the scenes on the Collections. There are now four Collections volunteers that are helping to prepare the Kolb Family photographs and collections for exhibition when the site opens. MUSIC JAMS: 2010 marks the eighth year of Tuesday evening music jams at the Dublin Heritage Center. These jams are regularly attended by musicians from the region and are known throughout the bluegrass community. There are now three music jams - the largest is the Bluegrass Jam which draws an average 30 musicians. Next is the Irish Jam with approximately 20 in attendance. And last is the Slow Jams with approximately 15 participants on average. All of the jams increase museum attendance by attracting visitors who may sit-in and listen to the live music. The jam groups also provide free music for events at the Heritage Park and Museums. Their performances also help attract broader audiences to events. 2of3 Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Scheduled Programs and Activities: The Dublin Heritage Park & Museums will be offering eight Workshops, one Exhibit, one Exhibit Opening, and a Victorian Tea (2 days) and a Grand Opening Celebration, for 13 public events in Fiscal Year 2010-2011 (Attachment 1). WORKSHOPS: Back by popular demand, First Saturday Workshops offer families with children ages 4-12 a behind-the-scenes, hands-on experience with the past. One Saturday afternoon a month, young people and their parents can explore a different aspect in history - each warkshop will feature an activity, music or story, and snacks that fit the theme. The workshops are held from 2pm until 4pm at the Dublin Heritage Center. There is a$5 fee per child, which includes all craft materials, snacks and make and take arts & crafts. EXHIBITS: This year's exhibit will be on the Donlon Family. The tragic story of Tom Donlon has been long told here in Dublin, but little more has been known about this large Irish family. Fortunately, the Donlon's flourished and left many descendents in the area. These descendents have been doing their family research and have a comprehensive collection of photos and documents that tell a compelling tale. The Donlons were a part of an organized effort, centered in a small church in Derryshannoge Ireland, where a son or a daughter was sent to the new world to work and earn money to pay passage out of the land for younger children. By the time the Donlons arrived there were so many Irish concentrated in one area of Alameda County that it is not surprising that the place was later renamed Dublin. Dublin got its name when a stage coach passenger stepped out of the coach and saw the little town. He said it looked like a nice town, "What's its name?" Old Man Dougherty heard this and said, "Well it doesn't have a name, but there's so many Irishmen there, you might as well call it Dublin!" Everybody thought this was very funny even though none of the Irish there were actually from Dublin, Ireland and the name stuck. That is one of the many tales that will be explored in this exhibit. VICTORIAN TEA: For the past two years, the Victorian Tea has sold out so this year, Staff will offer two teas and double the capacity. Teas will be offered on both Saturday and Sunday on December 11 and 12. Each tea will accommodate 44 guests with eleven tables of four at $25 per person, pre-registration required. HERITAGE PARK & MUSEUMS DEDICATION EVENT: The Parks and Community Services Department will collaborate on a public grand opening event to celebrate the new Dublin Heritage Park and Museums which includes the Kolb Historic House Museum, the Sunday School Barn, the Original House (Restrooms & Arts/Crafts Studio), the Hay Barn and the grounds and facilities. The date for the opening is projected to be in spring, 2011. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission receive the report. 3 of 3