Bay Area Museum facts for kids
| Established | 1901 |
|---|---|
| Location | Clear Lake Park |
| Type | Local history museum |
| Key holdings | Mementos of the U.S. space program |
| Founder | Maggie Plumb DeNike |
The Bay Area Museum is a cool place to visit in Clear Lake Park, which is part of Seabrook, Texas, in the Clear Lake area near Houston. This museum shows off different exhibits that tell the story of the local area. It also keeps special items from the Lunar Rendezvous festival. This festival is a yearly event that celebrates the region's strong connection to space exploration. This connection is because the Johnson Space Center is located nearby.
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History of the Museum Building
The building where the Bay Area Museum is now located has a long history. It was first built in 1901 by the Webster Presbyterian Church. This church is in Webster, Texas. The original church building was destroyed by a very strong storm called the 1900 Galveston hurricane. So, they built this new one to replace it.
In 1936, the church added more rooms to the building. These new parts included a stage, a meeting hall, and a kitchen. For many years, this was the only church in Webster. It was a very important place for community events and gatherings.
Moving the Historic Church
After many years, the Webster Presbyterian Church built a newer, more modern church. The old building then started to fall apart. In 1979, a person named Maggie Plumb DeNike stepped in. She was the founder of the Lunar Rendezvous festival. She worked with others to save the old church building.
They asked Harris County officials for permission to move the historic church building to Clear Lake Park. The church building was bought from Webster Presbyterian Church. It was then moved about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) from its first spot. The church building was carefully fixed up and restored. The museum officially opened on July 17, 1984. Sharon Dillard was the first president of the museum, serving from 1984 to 1986.
Special Collections at the Museum
The museum has many interesting things in its collection. Some of the most special items are mementos from the U.S. space program. These were given by important people like Lady Bird Johnson and other generous donors. These items help tell the story of space exploration in the area.
How the Museum is Run
When the museum first opened, it was managed by a President and a group called the Board of Trustees. Today, the museum is looked after by the Bay Area Museum Guild. This Guild is a group with almost 200 members. They work hard to make sure people know about the museum. They also help with its facilities, events, and needs in the community.
Events and Programs
The museum's main hall and extra rooms can be used for small private events. These include things like weddings and meetings for the Museum Guild. The museum also hosts the yearly Lunar Rendezvous festival. This festival started in 1965. It has been celebrated at the museum since the museum opened in 1984. The festival is a big way the museum gets money to keep running.
