Kerry, Kennedy Congratulate 13 Local Museums On ‘Museums For America’ Grants

BOSTON – July 23, 2008 – Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy today congratulated 13 Massachusetts museums for receiving federal funding as part of the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Museums for America grant program.   

More than $1.5 million was awarded to thirteen Massachusetts museums. The funding will help the recipients with everything from developing educational programming, to cataloging our state’s natural resources, to preserving some of the region’s most beloved historical sites.
 

 
The Museum received a IMLS National Leadership Grant to study how families learn in history exhibits using our prototype exhibit "A Sailor's Life for Me?"
Courtesy USS Constitution Museum		  

“Our museums keep Massachusetts’ history alive and well for future generations. From exhibits about the daily lives of sailors aboard the USS CONSTITUTION to our country’s first research institute for the study of American illustration, Massachusetts’ museums are one stop shopping for the journey of our nation,” said Senator Kerry. “I am pleased that so many of our state’s museums will receive the help they need to continue to serve our communities.”

Kennedy spokesperson Melissa Wagoner said, “The Commonwealth’s unique history provides a wealth of extraordinary educational opportunities for residents and visitors alike, and this federal funding is vital to preserving our magnificent cultural heritage.”

To date, Massachusetts has received over 340 grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Nationwide, Museums for America provided $16.9 million for 154 projects this year.

More information about the award can be found at www.imls.gov

The following Massachusetts museums received awards:

Peabody Essex Museum

Salem

$149,899

American Textile History Museum

Lowell

$108,417

Plimoth Plantation

Plymouth

$106,831

Memorial Hall Museum, Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association

Deerfield

$150,000

USS Constitution Museum Foundation

Charlestown

$149,988

New England Wild Flower Society

Framingham

$149,924

New England Aquarium

Boston

$127,506

Historic Highfield

Falmouth

$32,916

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Boston

$68,440

Story provided by: Brigid O'Rourke of Senator Kerry's Office

About the USS Constitution Museum's "Sailors Speak" Project

 
  Actors tell the stories of CONSTITUTION's War of 1812 crew during a performance of the Museum's play "Sailor's Lives and Sailor's Wives"
Courtesy USS Constitution Museum

"A Sailor's Life for Me?" is a research based, engaging on-line exhibit that introduces virtual visitors, young and old, to the lives and experiences of ordinary sailors who served on board USS CONSTITUTION during the War of 1812 and to the families they left ashore. The site will reinvigorate interpretation of this national monument and foster personal connections by interpreting the Ship from the inside looking out via illustrations, games, first person text, artifacts, and quotes.  Families can extend the fun and learning beyond the time spent on-line through activities. This project will offer 24/7 interpretation of the Ship in time for the bicentennial of the War of 1812.