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BENICIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM PRESS RELEASE December , 2009 For immediate release. Contact: Beverly Phelan, Curator, bphelan@beniciahistoricalmuseum.org, 707.745.5435 Jim Lessenger, exhibit committee chair, agbook@lessenger.net, 707.751.0289 Note to media: The Wednesday before the opening (February 3) is available for the press to take photographs and interview the organizers. In addition, the organizers and the collection will be available before the exhibit opens. What: The Benicia Historical Museum will celebrate the Centennial of the Boy Scouts of America with a special exhibit. The exhibit will open with a special reception starting at 1pm on Scout Sunday, February 7, 2010, and lasting until 8 pm. Where: The Benicia Historical Museum, in the historic former Benicia Arsenal. 2060 Camel Road, Benicia, CA 94510 When: To open Scout Sunday, February 7, 2010. To close June 1, 2010. Why: The Boy Scout of America were formed in 1910 to provide an outdoor experience for young men and train them for future leadership roles. Through the decades the Scouts have provided service to the community and nation. Who: Curator: Beverly Phelan Collection manager: Kellie McCormick Exhibit committee chair: Jim Lessenger Price: Free for the grand opening on February 7. For the remainder of the exhibit, the prices will be: Seniors: $3.00 Adults: $5.00 Children: 6-12: $2.00 5 and under: Free. Photos: Attached: 1. Mrs. Lodell Fowler and her Cub Scout Den, 1961.
2. 1960s photo of Scouts in Benicia Troop 8.
Contact Jim Lessenger at agbook@lessenger.net, if you want these or more photos sent to you. Narrative: The Benicia Historical Museum is preparing for a spectacular exhibit to celebrate the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America. It is scheduled to open Scout Sunday, February 7, 2010. The curator, Beverly Phelan, and exhibit chair, James E. Lessenger, MD, have collected loans of hundreds of objects including handbooks, axes, bugles, tents, patches, uniforms, and other memorabilia. “So far,” said Lessenger, “we have collected loans of over 300 objects and photographs, including a complete collection of handbooks.” “The response has been fantastic,” Lessenger added. The amount of material that has flowed into the museum has been so great that the museum curator, Beverly Phelan, has increased the size of the exhibit so that it now encompasses 70% of the museum’s floor space. An anonymous donor has stepped forward to underwrite the cost of the exhibit. The exhibit will include two campsites, one from the 1950s and another one from 2010. Benicia Troop 8 has committed to installing the tents and other equipment for the display and will help install the exhibits as a service project. Venture Crew 78, also from Benicia, will install two entry arches manufactured from lashed logs. There will also be an extensive display on Norman Rockwell, the famed American painter whose art graced the covers of Boy Scout publications for three generations. Framed Rockwell covers from Boys Life will cover the walls along with storyboards explaining the various aspects of Scouting history and life. There will be exhibits on Cub Scouts, Explorers, merit badges, Order of the Arrow, Woodbadge, the Founders, Scout art, stamps, uniforms, hats, adult awards, religious awards, and, most importantly, the Trail to Eagle. A special display will feature Scouting in Benicia and Solano County. A special exhibit will feature patches and other memorabilia from the national jamborees. In an adjoining case will be a display featuring Philmont Scout Reservation. An entire wall cabinet will feature dozens of items of “Scout Stuff,” including canteens, Morse code kits, first aid kits, axes, and dozens of Scout knifes. The exhibit will open on Scout Sunday, February 7, 2010 with a reception that will include a traditional Scout “cracker barrel” and patch trading tables. The reception and display open at 1 pm and will last until 8pm. The exhibit will be open Wednesday through Sunday afternoons from 1 to 4 until June 1. |
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