Exciting times at local museum

Why become a member of the Petaluma Museum?

I just love that old saying, “What’s old is new again” and I can’t think of a more appropriate quote that would apply to the renaissance taking place at Petaluma’s own historic museum.

I agree it may be hard to compete with the excitement of the opening day in 1906 when an earthquake shook the community to the core, but the recent flurry of activity at the museum is coming pretty darn close.

If you have ever thought about becoming a museum member, let me try and convince you now is the time to act. Museum membership is an investment in preserving the history of your community. The museum houses literally thousands of historical artifacts that need to be documented and preserved for future generations. Museum membership is also an investment in the education of Petaluma’s children, as the museum provides dozens of school tours each year. Our volunteer docents give each student a unique insight into what makes our community so unique. How wonderful that our schools have access to a historical experience in arguably one of the most beautiful Andrew Carnegie buildings ever built. Our local high schools and colleges are not left out, as meaningful traveling exhibits provide the material to ponder who we are as individuals and Americans.

Let me tell you that our members never lack for entertainment. Many incredibly talented musical performers and outstanding speakers come through our large front doors. With exclusive “members only” concerts, you will be assured a great seat in an unsurpassed acoustical setting under the largest stained glass dome in Northern California. Through a generous loan by the Sky Hill Institute, museum members are treated to the unsurpassed acoustical sounds of an 1899 Henry F. Miller concert grand piano. Our goal is to not only entertain our members, but through special tours acquaint our local elementary students with the grace and historical significance of classical music. Your museum provides a venue for recitals from numerous music schools with students at the beginning of their journey. to a Juilliard-trained violin prodigy who will honor us in a spectacular New Year’s Eve performance.

Providing meaningful exhibits to our community is at the heart of our mission. Visitors can expect to not only get a unique look into how their ancestors once lived, but will experience outstanding traveling exhibits direct from major American cities. We are extremely proud to be the exclusive California presenter of “Schindler, The Exhibition” provided by the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. In 2010 we are hosting an American icon. Elvis will truly be “in the building” in the form of exclusive CBS photography as we are hosting the exhibition “Elvis, the Grace and the Grit,” a pictorial documentary of Elvis in his 20s.

If we haven’t impressed you yet, stay tuned for 2011 as the Smithsonian Institution is coming to town with “Beyond.” Yes, “that” Smithsonian. Petalumans will be treated to never-before-seen photography from the outer planets and beyond by journalist, filmmaker and artist Michael Benson.

I hope I have convinced you to take a few moments to give us a call and become a member and be a part of your wonderful Petaluma Museum. We truly appreciate your support!

(Joe Noriel is the president of the Petaluma Museum.)