News from the Museum's Director

I am writing today to share some exciting, but bittersweet news. I have recently accepted the position of Executive Director for the Arts Council of Brazos Valley in College Station where I’ll be responsible for “making the arts accessible to citizens of the Brazos Valley,” an area that encompasses seven counties. My last official day as the Director of The Williamson Museum will be in mid-April. Although I will greatly miss the Museum and all of the wonderful people involved, I look forward to a new challenge in my career and a new chapter for the Museum.

I feel it is important to note that I could not have asked for a better board, staff, community and county with which to work. I look back on all that the Museum has accomplished since opening our doors to the public in late 2003 and realize that I owe you all a debt of gratitude for your role in our success. Without your help and generous donations of time, resources and wisdom, the Museum story would not have happened at all.

We officially opened our doors to the public just over six years ago. At that time, we barely managed to keep the lights on and the doors open fifteen hours a week. We did so with a handful of dedicated volunteers, one staff member and next to no financial resources. Look at what we have accomplished in just a few short years! With your continued work and support just imagine what the Museum will do in the coming years!

Thank you again for all that you do and although it is difficult for me to leave Williamson County, I know that the Museum is in good hands. Rest assured that the Museum will continue operations as usual under the direction of a very talented staff and board of directors.

I know that you will give our next director the same warm reception and support that I have received during my five and a half years here, and I also look forward to watching The Williamson Museum continue to grow and prosper, but now from the position of Museum member and supporter. Thank you again for making my time in Williamson County memorable. I will miss you all.

Sincerely,
Chris Dyer

Art Contest!

Spring Break

We've been busy, as usual. Mickie and Charles (education intern) and the education volunteers have been presenting our trunk programs all over the county. And TONIGHT is the first sleep over at the Museum. We'll be excited to hear how it went tomorrow morning!

I spent a lot of time reworking the Museum's website. I hope it's user friendly and that you're able to find everything you're looking for when you visit.

Next week is spring break at our area schools. If you're looking for something to do, make sure you stop by the Museum. We've got fun, hands-on activities in all of our exhibit areas.

Next week is also the Texas Association of Museums annual conference-- this year it's in College Station. Celina and I will be leaving Tuesday morning. Chris will follow Thursday and Friday. I'll be back at the on Friday, and Celina will be back on Saturday. There are a lot of great sessions, and of course it's always great fun to catch up with our museum friends from around the state.

Celina was awarded a scholarship from the Multicultural Initiatives affinity group, which enabled her to attend. Congrats, Celina!

Here's an idea of some of the sessions that are of interest to collections-type people, like myself:
Identification of 19th century photographs
Picture This: working with film crews
Collections issues during building projects
Thinking outside the Acid-free Box: Museum Archival Collections

And, there are some great sessions that are (at least for me) on the cutting egde for smaller museum:
Museums and Social Media
Using New Media to Create Multi-User Alternate Reality Games
Making a Place for Community Engagement
The Multi-Platform Museum: Bridging Online/On Site Visitor Experiences
Forecasting the Future of Texas Museums

There's so much to choose from; it'll be tough to narrow it down.

We'll see you when we get back!

The Salon- TONIGHT (3/10)

Join us tonight for The Salon at Wildfire.