Pledges will support to Try On History Project
Steve Lomas (right), a museum staff member, dresses in a reproduction outfit that represents José Escandon. He is seen here with a visitor during Summer Nights at the Museum 2017.
The Museum of South Texas History has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide. Occurring this year on Nov. 28, #GivingTuesday is held annually on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving (in the US). #GivingTuesday coincides with the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday to kick off the holiday giving season and inspires people to collaborate on improving their local communities and to give back in impactful ways to the charities and causes they support.
Last year, the Museum of South Texas History joined the global movement by encouraging the community to donate to the Try On History Project. The effort to raised $1,000, and the museum has since purchased a reproduction outfit that was used for an educational outreach with more than 1,000 IDEA students. This year, the museum invites the community to donate once again to the Try On History Project and reach a new goal of $1,500. The reproduction clothing collection at the museum is a vital part of bringing history to life and sparking a child’s imagination.
A visitor during Summer Nights at the Museum tries on a reproduction dress.
“Trying on reproduction clothing, or visiting with a docent dressed to represent a particular time period, truly sparks a child’s imagination,” said Shan Rankin, the executive director at the Museum of South Texas History. “Touching, experiencing and feeling the materials and the way clothing works makes an abstract idea real. It helps children to imagine themselves in that clothing, that time period and stimulates curiosity that is key to a life-long love of learning which is so essential for success in life. We are excited to see what 2017’s #Giving Tuesday results will bring to the museum and look forward to purchasing more reproduction clothing for the Try On History Project.”
This year’s #GivingTuesday campaign will run from Nov. 28, 2017 to Dec. 30, 2017. During this five-week campaign, visitors can either donate a minimum amount of $1 at the Admissions Desk during a transaction, round up their change at The Museum Store, leave a cash donation at the Try On History display under the Grand Staircase in the Grand Lobby, donate online at mosthistory.org/try-on-history-project or mail a contribution to the Try On History Project to 200 N. Closner Blvd. Edinburg, Texas 78541. For more information about the Try On History Project, please visit mosthistory.org/try-on-history-project today!
For more details about the #GivingTuesday movement, visit the #GivingTuesday website (www.givingtuesday.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GivingTuesday) or follow @GivingTues and the #GivingTuesday hashtag on social media.
About #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations,businesses and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. This year, #GivingTuesdayfalls on November 28. #GivingTuesday harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. It inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world. #GivingTuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts, and that they mean even more when we give together.
About Museum of South Texas History
The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is located in downtown Edinburg at 200 N. Closner Blvd. on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Hours of operation are from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003 following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope. Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and Northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like us on Facebook, follow on Twitter, find on Google+ or call +1-956-383-6911.