MV Museum

Over the past year, the Museum’s Educational Programming has continued to swell with opportunities for Islanders of all ages. The classroom is the hub of all this activity and was continually transformed to house an exciting array of events and programs. Whether it was a stage, a laboratory, a forum for debate, an art studio or a place of quiet escape, our classroom has been a welcoming venue to all who stepped through the door. Building on our relationships with Island school teachers, we have seen significant growth in the number of classes engaging with our educational experiences. 86% of K-4 students experienced a Museum field trip, in which interactive activities in the classroom are an essential part. Beyond the elementary years, we have hosted both middle and high school classes on research visits to enrich their courses of study. AP African American History students investigated the exhibit, Unfreedom, while the American Sign Language I & II classes came to see They Were Heard, about the Chilmark Deaf Community. The classroom was a perfect space to host lively discussions following each one of these exhibit tours. Our child and family-centered programming is continuing to utilize the classroom in a multitude of ways. It provides a monthly meeting place for our Crafts of Yesteryear 4-H club for children ages 8-14. Over weekends or school vacations it is a versatile space for family-friendly events including Heath Hen Day, Shark Week, Discovery Days classes, Founder’s Day and Nancy Luce Day. Our classroom allows us to continue inviting our vibrant community into our Museum where they find meaningful ways to engage with Island history.