Laurel Museum's 15th:We Should All Celebrate

I'm a history buff. And while many Laurel folks will be focusing on the Main Street festival this weekend, my attention is focused on the following Sunday: May 15. when The Laurel Museum is celebrating its 15th Anniversary.

I'm always a little disappointed when I run into someone, like I did the other night at Salute on Main Street, who not only had never visited the Laurel Museum (817 Main Street), but didn't even know Laurel had a museum. Maybe you're one of those folks. Or maybe you've been meaning to visit and just haven't. And are you missing a real treat -- which has outdoor river walk right next to it. What a deal. And it's free.

Granted the Museum is only open three days a week (hey, volunteer to docent: more volunteers, more open hours). But Laurel's local community museum has been a remarkable plus for Laurel. More than 15 exhibits, school tours, special programming just for kids, interesting speakers for adults. There are lots of new insights into all parts of the town's history from the mill, to the 1950s, to WWII. I didn't grow up in Laurel, but find its transitions from mill town to early suburb to today's very diverse community that's been touched by some very major historical events (think Civil War, Civil Rights, 9/11 to name just a few), very interesting.

Many community museums create one exhibit, and remain largely static for years and years. Many are in real trouble, since people come once and they've seen what there is to see. At the Laurel Museum there's something new EVERY YEAR. (full disclosure: I'm a Board member and past president). For me, the Laurel Museum has not only introduced me to some truly dedicated, smart, interesting people, but it's offered me a chance to do original historical research, actually open a museum, see it grow, and see the fruits of my (and others) labors become real museum exhibitions. How cool is that?

Right now, the exhibit is focusing on the Laurel Race Track's 100th Anniversary. And They're Off! 100 Years of Laurel Race Track 1911-2011. Not only are there famous race horses and celebrities, but a kind of behind the scenes look at the Race Course and the impact it's had on Laurel for the past 100 years. Whether you like to go to the track or not, you'll learn something new about a business that' had an impact on many level in this community for a long time. Will it be here in the future? Who knows?

The Laurel Museum's community celebration: 15 on the 15th runs from 1:30-3:30. www.laurelhistoricalsociety.org is free, very family friendly, and includes horse related games to tie into the current exhibit. So I hope you'll drop by Sunday the 15th There will even be refreshments). I think you'll be glad you did -- and pleasantly surprised if you haven't visited before.

Me, I'll be there having fun, but also thanking many people who were there at the beginning, and still are, like Betty Compton, and the City of Laurel. May 15 I'll also be thinking of some LHS friends who aren't with us any more but who were critical to our early years,  like Jane Cole, the Museum's original Co-Director, Louise Eldridge, Clare Bergeron and others. I miss them, and think they'd be pretty pleased with where we've come and what we've done.