Issue 22...........May 2022
The Lake Jackson Historical Association provides Education relative to the
History and Culture of Lake Jackson, Texas.
Lake Jackson Historical Museum and Jackson Plantation Historic Site continue to mix the OLD with the NEW

NEW EXHIBIT………………..SHAKESPEARE
“To be, or not to be: that is the question.” In which Shakespearean play is that famous line quoted? Did Shakespeare write all of the plays attributed to him, or not? Who agrees and who doesn’t? What is the origin of the word “role” that an actor performs? What did the Globe Theatre look like? All of these questions, along with others you might have, can be answered by the traveling exhibit now on view at the Historical Museum.
 
The exhibit also features costumes from previous productions of the Elizabethan Madrigal Feast, Lake Jackson’s own Shakespeare-inspired event. The Feast is provisionally scheduled to return to The Center for the Arts & Sciences in late fall. Pictured here are the jester’s garb worn in “As you Like It” and the gown seen in the “Taming of the Shrew.” Both were created under the direction of local designer, Cheryl Fowler.
The LJHA invites you to visit the Bard and all the trappings, which will be on exhibit until July 9. Come read a sonnet, make a mask typical of those used in Shakespeare’s works, and take a selfie with Shakespeare himself. Come and enjoy!!

“Shakespeare” is an exhibition produced in collaboration with the Harry Ransom Center and the Department of Theater and Dance at the University of Texas at Austin and Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
OLD ITEM..........CURIOUS COLLECTION
Is this object a water ladle, soup or sauce ladle, or perhaps a sauna ladle used to pour water over hot rocks? Online research revealed all of these various uses. The implement, made out of aluminum, measures about 15 inches long, and the bowl holds exactly one cup. Etched inside the cup are increments in ounces.
 
One online posting described it as a “vintage aluminum ladle made by Dow in the 1950s.” A photo of the packaging advertises it as a Dow Chemical Pour-On Dipper. Jonathan Pettijohn donated one of these dippers to the Lake Jackson Historical Museum in 2016. It reportedly belonged to his grandfather who had worked for Dow.
 
Did you ever use or own one of these? If you have any more information about this curious item, please contact curator Angela Villarreal at curator@ljhistory.org. 
Lake Jackson Library Storytime Visits the Museum
Never too young to visit a museum!!! On Tuesday, May 3, and Wednesday, May 4, the Lake Jackson Library's Storytime with toddlers and preschoolers took place at the museum. Ande Larsen, youth specialist, and Morgan McPherson, youth assistant, read the children a book about trains to celebrate our pop-up train exhibit upstairs.

On May 4th (Star Wars Day- May the Fourth Be With You!), we learned about the library's Star Wars books "written" by Shakespeare. Come see our exhibit and then place your hold on these books through the library's website!

Lake Jackson Library's Community Storytime will be back at the museum on Tuesday, May 31st at 10:30am. Bring your little ones!






Remember the Pink Ladies from the movie Grease??

Sharon Spencer dressed as one of them for the Dairy Bar's 70th Anniversary Celebration held recently at the Historical Museum. For her re-creation, she won the costume contest. Sharon is pictured with her husband Rusty.

Buy A Brick
Pave the walkway to the museum or the Jackson Plantation Historic Site with a personalized brick. Order a brick here.
Upcoming Events

Shakespeare Pop-up Exhibit
On view now through July 9, 2022; Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am-4pm
Location: Lake Jackson Historical Museum Rotunda
Admission: Free

Shakespeare's Skies (Partner Event)
Tuesdays: May 17, 24, and 31, 7pm
Saturday, May 27, 7pm
Location: BASF Planetarium
Admission: $5 for adults; $3 for children

A true Renaissance man of his time, William Shakespeare's works are full of references to the night sky. These references reflect the beliefs about the sky that were held during his time... many of these truths are accepted to this day. Explore Shakespeare's view of the night sky! Thank you to the BASF Planetarium for putting together this wonderful event!

Shakespeare and Voice with John Feltch (Partner Event)
Saturday, May 28, 10 am-2:30 pm
Location: The Center for the Arts & Sciences
Registration: $20 for adults and $15 for students ages 16 through college

Prepare for Elizabethan Madrigal Feast and Shakespeare in the Glen auditions with master actor and instructor John Feltch. The workshop will involve equal parts of highly physical work to help participants discover the full possibilities of their unique voices and the examination of a Shakespeare sonnet to make emotional connections to the text. Click here for more details or to register. Thank you to The Center for the Arts & Sciences for hosting and planning this fantastic workshop!

An Evening with Master Actor John Feltch
Saturday, May 28, 7pm
Location: Lake Jackson Historical Museum
Admission: Free

Actor John Feltch, whose stage appearances include Broadway, off-Broadway, and Houston's Alley Theatre for over 11 years as a resident artist, to name just a few, will join us for an evening of exploring the continuing history and importance of Shakespeare performances for today's audiences. Enjoy this peak "behind the curtain" with one of our area's most active and influential actors.

Flag Retirement Ceremony
Saturday, June 4, 2pm
Location: Jackson Plantation Historic Site
Admission: Free

Join us for our annual flag retirement ceremony with Lake Jackson Scout Troop #394. We will be ceremoniously retiring worn, faded, torn, or badly soiled flags with all the dignity and respect befitting our nation's flag. Do you have a flag that you would like to have respectfully retired? Drop it off at the museum by Friday, June 3rd, or bring it to the plantation site at 10am on the day of the ceremony.

Youth Shakespeare Workshop (Ages 9-13)
Thursday, June 9, 10am-1pm
Location: Lake Jackson Historical Museum
Registration: $25 (discounts available)

Led by Wes Copeland, actor and executive director of The Center for the Arts & Sciences, this workshop will introduce young people to the world of Shakespeare! Explore the Bard's works through movement and activities, and try your hand at writing in Shakespeare's iconic style. Students can continue creating their own sonnets after the workshop with a take-home magnetic word set! Space is limited. Registration opens next Monday, May 16th, on our website.

Fort Velasco Day (Partner Event)
Saturday, June 25, 9am-4pm
Location: Freeport Historical Museum & Visitor Center
Registration: Free

Come see us at the 2nd annual Fort Velasco Day presented by the Freeport Historical Museum. Commemorating the 1832 Battle of Fort Velasco, the event will feature living history reenactors, period firearm demonstrations, textile presentations, and more! We'll have a table at the event, so be sure to come say hello!
A Word from the Executive Director
Next Wednesday, May 18, is being celebrated across the world as International Museum Day. Established by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) in 1977, International Museum Day strives to "increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society." This year, ICOM is challenging us all to consider The Power of Museums. If you're reading this, you already understand the need for museums in a community: the importance of preserving local history, sharing knowledge, and inspiring the next generation to learn more.

But museums also do so much more! They have the power to build community through programming and educational opportunities for all ages. In bringing people together and encouraging them to engage in something new, barriers are broken down and an informed civil society is born.

Museums also have the power of innovation. Digital advancement not only gives visitors the chance to interact with information in a new way, but it also allows accessibility to others who may not have had access to the museum previously. Here at LJHA, we have digitized many of the documents and images in our collection. These items are accessible through our website to anyone with an internet connection. Inside the museum, we are working on a digital mapping project to show change over time through an original Alden B. Dow map. We are also working to create listening tours for all three of our locations in the future, allowing more and more people to interact with and learn from our exhibits.

The power of the museum is endless. Come and visit us this week and celebrate International Museum Day!
April Trivia Answer:
When Lake Jackson's municipal pool opened in 1950,
it was called the "Oakdale Plunge."

New Trivia Question:
In what year did the hijacked National Airlines plane make an emergency landing at the Lake Jackson airport?

Be the first person to call the museum at 979-297-1570 or email director@ljhistory.org with the correct answer to win a $5 gift card to our gift shop!
Funding has been provided to LJHA by Humanities Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the Federal ARP Act.
Lindsay Scovil
Executive Director
Angela Villarreal
Curator
Deborah Duty
Marketing Coordinator
Call Us at 979-297-1570