The Manhattan Museum had its grand opening and ribbon cutting on October 24, 2014. As we approach the 10 th Anniversary of the opening of the Manhattan Historical Museum, we have been reviewing what we have done. Much of our “museuming,” a word we coined to stand for our activities, has been our commitment to offering varied experiences in education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing. The collection of Manhattan History is only one part of our mission statement. We have created a list of these experiences and are able to identify them as presentations, exhibits, displays, discussions, and printed materials. We have tried to create a variety of topics that reflect our rich Manhattan History.

The sharing of this information is an important aspect of “museuming” and one that takes a lot of research, discussions, decision-making and actual physical labor to produce. Our presentations and interactive displays have included topics such as family history, license plates, memories of “Manhattanites,” railroads, the Irish Easter Rebellion, photographing nature, Civil War Living History, and farm life.

Our exhibits are carefully chosen to stand for a part of Manhattan History in as much depth and detail as possible. A lot of what is done “behind the scenes” is intellectual and invisible while the exhibit is being created. Each exhibit includes research, creating display boards, collecting, and displaying artifacts, and the creation of a take-home-booklet that includes everything that was in the display.

Another part of “museuming” is the creation of window displays. Our window displays have often reflected the theme of our on-going exhibit. We have taken part in a few window display contests created by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. The window now celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Museum. Our volunteers are always thinking of and creating future exhibits and presentations. Our primary goal is to learn and share as much as possible with our visitors. We welcome suggestions for future exhibits, displays, and presentations.

We are proud of what we have carried out in our TEN YEARS of Manhattan “Museuming.” We invite everyone to share in our showcase of Ten Years beginning on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be games, door prizes and refreshments. We look forward to celebrating our TEN YEARS of “Museuming” with YOU!