An Update From the NCHM Staff re. COVID-19
Dear Members of the NCHM Community,
We write today hoping that we find you and your families well. We miss seeing you at the museum.
As you know, we closed down this spring in the middle of the most ambitious project the museum has ever taken on, If These Walls Could Talk. We welcomed many long-time members of the museum as well as many Austinites who had never visited us before this spring both to see Ginger Geyer's installations throughout our site and to participate in the larger conversation through attendance at one of the many performances orchestrated by Jennifer Cumberbatch.
We, of course, have halted all programming and the museum is closed to the public. However, it is our hope that we will be able to reopen in order to share this important show with you again. We have extended the run at least through July 26h. In the meantime, we invite you to explore our 360 degree virtual tour, narrated by none other than Ginger Geyer herself. We also have taken to Facebook and YouTube videos related to the project. Like our Facebook page, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up to date with this work!
While we are closed down, we are still busy! We are working on a brand new website, working to plan for Modern Times Season 15 next year, and working to determine the best way to build our programming in the expectation that social distancing may be with us for some time to come. We have retooled our family programming, and hosted Easter Egg dyeing and our April Sunday Funday via Zoom. We plan to host another Sunday Funday on May 10th, Mother's Day, and would love to see you and your kids and grandkids join us to construct a beautiful tea party at home! And, you can join us tonight for our second virtual installment of "Historic Happy Hours"! Just click here to register to learn more than you probably ever thought you needed to know about RUM! While you're at it, pick a virtual backdrop from the NCHM - see below to learn more!
Needless to say, many museums are struggling right now. We all rely on donations as well as on revenue from programming, rentals, and admissions. The NCHM is among the lucky. You, our members, through your support have put us in a position to weather this storm without losing staff or fear of permanent closure. That said, if you have not made a gift in a while, we welcome your donation today! You will help us to remain strong as we look at a future still full of unknowns.
We know we will get past this crisis. Americans have weathered worse in the past. In the meantime, we wish you courage, and health, and look forward to seeing you at the museum again soon.
Rowena Dasch, Executive Director
Karen Kincaid Brady, Business & Programming Director
Ann Flemings, Development Director