What happens after closing time at the museum? The exhibits come to life, of course! Inspired by the Night at the Museum films, Old Independence Regional Museum will host A Night at the Museum on Thursday, October 30, 2014, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. This family friendly event will feature a fun evening of character interactions, crafts, and refreshments. Admission for the evening is $5 per person.
In the museum’s Civil War exhibit, visitors will meet Emily Weaver, Nannie Wilson, and Emma Burr, three teenaged girls living in Batesville during the Civil War. These ladies didn’t let the war get them down. They enjoyed the new social opportunities that the war brought to Batesville by hosting balls and parties for the soldiers. Join the ladies, as they discuss the latest happenings.
At the pioneer wagon, visitors will encounter a family who is traveling to Arkansas. Interact with them at their camp site, where they have stopped for the night. Where will they sleep? Do they need to worry about attacks? What’s on the menu for tonight? These are all good questions to ask them during your visit.
The year is 1906; a couple of ladies have just come into Batesville on the train. They are being picked up by a driver and carriage from Hardy’s livery. Where are they going? Where are they from? How long are they visiting?
On the Back Porch a couple is discussing their daily struggles during the Great Depression. The lady is churning some cream into butter to be sold to her neighbors. Visitors are invited to let her rest a spell and take a turn at the churn.
In Shawneetown, visitors will encounter Abraham Ruddle, who lived among the Shawnee as a child. There will also be Native Americans there to talk about what life was like for them during the early 1800s.
At the museum’s newest exhibit, Spotlight on the Masons, visitors will meet Andrew Porter. Porter, a Mason, served as commander of Company D of the Arkansas Volunteer Regiment during the Mexican war and was killed in battle. Be sure to ask him about his wartime experiences and to share some secrets of the Masons.
Other characters that visitors will meet during their visit include: a 1900s cyclist who will explain how to ride his High-Wheel bicycle, group of hippies from the 1960s, and more. Visitors are invited to come as they are or dress in their favorite costume.
A yarb woman is brewing a special concoction for visitors to try, along with cookies, at the refreshment table. All are invited to stop and visit for a spell, and if you are brave enough, sample one of her creations.
In our craft area, children are invited to make silly putty, spiders, and bats. Do you dare to feel for innards, toes, and brains in the touch and feel boxes?
Old Independence serves a 12-county area: Baxter, Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Marion, Poinsett, Sharp, Stone, White, and Woodruff. Parts of these present-day counties comprised the original Independence County in 1820s Arkansas territory.
The museum is located at 380 South 9th street, between Boswell and Vine Streets in Batesville.
