Yipppeee!

Yipppeee! We’ve being saying that a lot around here these days! With the National Medal award, it’s been an incredible fall at the General Lew Wallace Study and Museum. The staff and I are committed to excellence in museum programming and operations and to have this dedication awarded at the top level is more than we dreamed for ourselves. I am truly grateful to our members, donors, and volunteers for helping us make the dreams possible and for inspiring us look to the future with great optimism.

I am excited to share with you that the board has adopted a new strategic plan. Our first plan ended in September of this year with all of our goals met, which in the beginning seemed like an extremely tall order. With your help our first strategic plan was realized and the museum was positioned for accolades. Again, thank you.

The next five years will build on our high standard of excellence established through innovative programs and events like the Lew Wallace Youth Academy, the Historic Preservation Workshop Series, Annual Theme Exhibit and Programs, and the Taste of Montgomery County. It is equally critical to consider the small museum environment that this success was built in – the staff wear multiple “hats” and are regularly bound by budget constraints. As a result, the objectives outlined in our new plan are carefully measured for strength and feasibility.

Heading into the planning process, the board and staff understood that the focus of the plan needed to rest on a three key objectives: restore the study structure, evolve into a self-sustaining organization, and become the “best small museum in the Midwest.” With these in mind, the plan was developed during a series of board retreats held July 19, August 16, and September 20, 2008. Facilitated by Herm Haffner of Total Solutions, the planning process included an in-depth examination of the organization’s core competencies, mission, vision, and charge. With consensus in place, Haffner led the group through discussions regarding assumptions, budget, and human resources. Strategic planning activities included internal and external situation analyses, consideration of weaknesses and problems, comparative analysis of organizational peers, threat analysis, consideration of advantages and opportunities, and finally, establishing objectives.

We have established ten strategic objectives that will help us meet our charge to be a key cultural asset for our community’s continued well-being. To do this, we will:
-Provide innovative cutting edge programs and operations
-Create individualized experiential learning
-Become financially self sustaining
-Provide continued stewardship of collections and historic structures
-Focus on activities that add value to the study and the community
-Serve as a model to the larger small museum community

I invite you to read the entire plan and join our enthusiasm by following this link: http://www.ben-hur.com/GLWSM_2009-2012_Plan.pdf . I look forward to the next five years and the incredible support of our members, donors, and volunteers. Yipppeee!

--Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Museum Director

General Lew Wallace Study and Museum honored at Crawfordsville City Council meeting

What a great night! The staff and board of the General Lew Wallace Study and Museum were honored by the City Council of Crawfordsville, Indiana for winning the National Medal for Museum Service this year. The Council drafted a special resolution acknowledging our hard work, and the Council and audience gave us a standing ovation!

It feels great to be appreciated, but it feels even better to be part of a staff that works so seamlessly together to achieve such long-ranging and exciting results for our community.


--Kara Edie, Visitor Services & Marketing Coordinator

Museum Director Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, Museum Board President Dale Petrie, Council Member Dennis Cook, Museum Associate Director Amanda Wesselmann, Museum Marketing Coordinator Kara Edie, Council Member George Parker, Museum Grounds Manager Deb King, Council Member Roger Rockenbaugh, Council Member Heather Perkins, Council Member Patrick Taylor, Council Member Nellie Thompson, Crawfordsville Mayor Charles Coons, and Council Member Raymond Kirtley.

Bright Shining Moment

It's great that Cinnamon got to go to Washington D.C. to receive the National Medal for Museum Services, but what's going on around here? Well, the Crawfordsville City Council drafted a resolution to pass at Monday's meeting to recognize the magnitude of this achievement, and specifically thank the staff, board, and membership for their hard work in bringing this honor to the city of Crawfordsville. All the Museum staff will be there, along wtih Lew Wallace Study Preservation Society President Dale Petrie, toting the medal for all to see. We hope to see quite a crowd to share in the glory of the medal - this is not your average city council meeting!

--Amanda Wesselmann, Associate Director

Sharing

Saturday morning found Crawfordsville High School students helping to divide iris and hostas at the Study. Helen Hudson's honor students have adopted the local Amtrak station and needed some plants to fill some spots in the gardens at the train station. Hostas, albomarginata and 'Fragrant Blue', and a deep purple iris are plentiful in the Study's gardens.

The hostas are 4-5 years old and need to be divided to maintain the health of the plant. Iris, separated every 2 years, develope large rhizomes and welcome separating. After digging at the Study, the students returned to the station where they planted and watered the perennials, while waiting to welcome the train's passengers.

--Deb King, Grounds Manager

An Autumn Tradition: the 5th Annual Artists in Residence Program

Art was in the air again as the General Lew Wallace Study and Museum hosted its fifth-annual Artists in Residence Program on Sunday, October 5 on the Museum grounds. Eight artists and art educators gathered underneath the goregous fall foliage to showcase their artistic talents for Museum visitors. Here are some looks back!

--Kara Edie, Visitor Services & Marketing Coordinator

Wabash Day 2008

Today students from Wabash College participated in community service at the Lew Wallace Study as part of Wabash Day 2008. Wabash Day 2008 (October 11-12) is a national day of community service that "is tied to the core values of the college requiring men to to be responsible citizens and to be effective, thoughtful leaders to make our communities more humane." (http://www.wabash.edu/wabashday for more information). We thank the volunteers from the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity (FIJI House) who spent their Saturday morning moving picnic tables, taking down the electrical boxes from the Taste of Montgomery County, and picking up trash and debris around the exterior of the Study. As a token of gratitude, the volunteers also received a brief tour of the Study and were very inquisitive, showing great interest in Mr. Wallace's artwork as well as his time abroad in the Ottoman Empire and in New Mexico Territory. Thank you again for making the Study a part of Wabash Day 2008 and we hope you can return for a visit (as a student, you receive a discount if you show your college ID) or to volunteer your time again outside of this wonderful community service opportunity.

--Will Finney, Museum Intern from Wabash College

Senator Evan Bayh Comments on GLWSM's National Medal Honor

“The General Lew Wallace Study and Museum in Crawfordsville is a shining example of how well-preserved history can enrich our communities today,” said Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN). “The innovative programs of the Lew Wallace Youth Academy provide a great service to the children of Indiana, creating a unique learning opportunity for middle school students. The museum is truly a community organization, hosting successful events for all of Montgomery County and taking an active role in the revitalization of downtown Crawfordsville. The General Lew Wallace Study and Museum is a point of pride in Indiana, and I congratulate the museum for this well-deserved honor.”