By Jessica Gorman
It’s June, it’s busy, I ran out of time to get anything written for this week and then I realized that it’s a good time for a mid-year update from the museum.
So far, summer has brought a marked increase in visitors, not just as compared to recent months but in comparison to the past few years. We’re glad to see it and so glad to see people bringing their kids and grandkids to see the museum.
In terms of our expansion project, we’re in the waiting phase. If we had it our way and could do whatever we wanted, we might would have the first phase of that project done. Unfortunately, and understandably, we can’t do that. Certain requirements must be met. So, we’re anxiously and excitedly awaiting approval from the fire marshal’s office and when that approval comes, we’re ready to get started. I’m looking forward to sharing updates and inviting everyone to see that space when it is completed. And yes, we are still fundraising to ensure that we are able to complete the entire project.
Summer also means preparations are being made for our annual fundraiser gala. This year’s event is scheduled for Monday, September 8th at 6:00pm. We invite everyone to join us in celebration of our expansion, to recognize those who have made that possible, and to ensure that the museum has the financial resources to continue its work of preserving and sharing the history of Webster Parish. Keep an eye out for more information about the gala coming soon. If you would like to support our fundraising efforts, we are looking for items to include as auction, raffle, and door prizes. This event is crucially important as it generates a large portion of our operational budget for the coming year.
Over the next few months, I’ll also be working to complete my participation in the Nonprofit Capacity Building Cohort at LSUS. I applied for this opportunity in an effort to strengthen the future of the museum and am so grateful to have been the chosen and allowed the opportunity to learn from experienced and knowledgeable nonprofit leaders. I plan to put all that I have learned to work for the benefit of the museum.
We’re also trying a little community project this summer. For our “Memories of Caney Lake” project, we’re inviting everyone to submit their memories and photographs from Caney Lake. Submissions can be made via email at dorcheatmuseum@yahoo.com or you can stop by the museum. We would love to be able to create a collection of memories of fun times spent at Caney Lake by different generations. Almost immediately, photographs documenting some of the activities to create the lake were donated to the museum by the family Mr. John T. Kirkley. We are grateful to them and so fortunate to be able to preserve these important images. These photographs and others can be found on our Facebook page.
As much as there is to do in the present, there is always the need to be looking down the road and planning for the future. At the top of that list is creating a plan for greater financial stability to ensure operation of the museum for years to come. At some point, I’d love to work toward museum accreditation. An exciting opportunity has presented itself and a project that has been on my wish list will be starting just as soon as time allows. I’ll share more on that later. Planning is underway for a museum exhibit for next year in celebration of America250. The plan is to participate in the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by putting a local spin on it. I’m also considering ways that we could begin to offer volunteer opportunities and ways to better serve our community whether your interest lies in history, genealogy, or cemeteries. There is an ever-growing list of ideas that I hope to be able to make a reality.
One thing is certain. There will always be work to be done. There will always be ways that we can do more and be better. And, if you ever have any questions or suggestions, please let me know. If you’d like to keep up with what’s going on at the museum, please follow us on Facebook or visit our website to sign up for our email list.
(Jesscia Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)