‘Making History’ event to benefit Pioneer Museum

Published 3:00 am Friday, July 29, 2016

The mission of the Pioneer Museum of Alabama is to preserve and promote the history of the pioneer era in Alabama. The museum is also in the business of making history and the community is invited to be a part of that “business.”

The Pioneer Museum of Alabama’s annual Making History Benefit Dinner and Silent Auction will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, August 6, in the museum’s Village Center.

Kari Barley, museum director, said all who are interested in preserving Alabama’s pioneer history and in making history for generations to come are invited to attend.

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Tickets the Making History benefit are $30 for individuals, $55 for couples and $175 for a table of eight. Tickets may be purchased by calling the museum at 334-566-3597 or by visiting the museum. “The money that is raised at Making History are used to fund our children’s programs throughout the year,” Barley said. “A thousand or more children attend our Pioneer Days each October and thousands of children attend our hands-on-history program all during the year. What a lot of people may not know is that the museum covers the bus expenses to make these visits more affordable for schools.

“We believe that having an opportunity for hands-on experiences with history is important and we want as many children to have those experiences as possible. It is a unique learning experience for students to spend a day in the life of a pioneer.”

The museum’s annual Ole Time Christmas and Spring Plantin’ Day have special activities and events for children. Throughout the year, the museum offers events just for kids including a summer camp.

“For children to appreciate history, they have to learn about it and there’s no better way to learn than with hands-on,” Barley said.

The Making History Benefit Dinner and Auction is an important fundraiser for the Pioneer Museum of Alabama and the community is encourage to come, learn more about the museum and its programs and enjoy the fellowship of others who are tuned in to history. Barley said items for the silent auction would be greatly appreciated. Individuals and businesses that have items to donate may call the museum or stop by during visiting hours.

Barley said memberships are a large part on the museum’s operating budget. Individual memberships are $25; family members are $45. A Preserver membership is $60 and allows admission to museum for up to eight members of the extended family.