Twenty Years.

We do it better, when we’re together. *

Twenty years. Two decades. A lot has changed. But some things stay the same.

The Museum’s All Souls’ Walk recently celebrated its 20th year as a successful program, sharing stories of those who came before us.

I stopped and thought to myself, where was I twenty years ago? (Are you doing the same?)

In 2004, I was a sophomore at Northeastern University. Majoring in History, it was twenty years ago this month that I met my first mentor (there have been many). Professor Harvey Green ran the Public History program; he had recently left his job at the Margaret Strong Museum in Rochester, New York. It was he who first suggested that museum work could be a career path. I took every class I could.

Twenty years ago, I’m not ashamed to admit my favorite band was ‘NSync. For those that don’t know, this early 2000s “boy band” released its first new song in twenty years last month. * The song is called “A Better Place.” The lyrics at the top of this letter are part of the song. I find it closely relates to the trajectory of the Brick Store Museum.

Coming full circle, when I started working at the Brick Store Museum, I learned that Margaret Strong (with her museum in Rochester, above) lived in Kennebunk part time; and was related, by marriage, to Edith Barry, our own founder. And now, twenty years later, I find myself in discussions here at the Brick Store Museum about the thought leadership coming from the Strong Museum in Rochester and how we can learn from their work to build our own future.

“A Better Place,” as ‘NSync croons, is something that the Brick Store Museum is always seeking. Since 2004, not only has the All Souls’ Walk grown, but our campus, staff, programs, exhibitions and outreach has grown as well – all to seek and create a better place for you, me, our neighbors, and those who come next.

Your support is the fuel behind this growth – and there is no way we could have done it without you.

In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the All Souls’ Walk this year – would you consider a donation of $20 to the Museum’s Spofford Education Advancement Fund? Donations will be MATCHED by a generous community donor if we can hit $5,000 by December 21!

The Spofford Education Fund supports all of our educational opportunities for early learners, classroom visits and field trips, after school programs, free family activities, adult workshops, virtual learning resources and guest teaching artists.

CLICK HERE to support this campaign, or mail a check to 117 Main Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043. Thank you!

Thank you so much for your incredible support of the Museum’s endeavors.

YOU are the Museum!

We do it better, when we’re together.

– Cynthia Walker, Executive Director