The Final Days...

The squeaking door opens as I step inside the museum today. I step lightly so as not to creak the wooden floor and disturb the quiet studying that is going on in the office. I set my books down on a shelf and immediately a plume of dust fills my nostrils with the most disgusting smell of cigarette smoke. I gag and, stunned by the fumes, stumble into the prickly pea shucker sitting on display in the main hall. Recomposing myself, I go to the office to inform Mr. Kendal that today will be my last day volunteering with the organization. We make eye contact and exchange the meaningless words that any young teenager would have with hated step father. We shake hands; it is cold and limp. I go to work for my final shift of the year slightly depressed.
The hours pass and my shift is up. I calmly gather my things and leave. Turning around I take the building and all its memories with me. I won't ever forget the old brick building that has stood for more then a century.

The Board Meeting.....

This week at the Titusville Historical Museum, a meeting was held to discuss the matters of receiving a new building for the museum and to construct a new financial plan for the coming year.
As I sat in at this meeting, I found my self somewhat overwhelmed with topics and plans that I never imagined associating my self with. Sitting at the table with the other three members they each began to discuss their new policies, some of which can be viewed at the Chamber of Commerce web page for Titusville, I was reminded of how our own Electoral College runs.
The role of the President, Treasurer, or Secretary of the museum did not allow any final decisions to be made. The idea's and motions that they had, came from the other volunteers and members. The idea's went to the museum government only to be brought to Board of Director's who then had to cast their vote one what would pass or fail.
This systematic process I noticed gives the museum a more official appearance allowing it to have more credibility. Credibility which can only help other historical commissions to expand.

The Great Experiance...

Today was a fun filled day of activity at the museum. Upon my arrival I was desperately looking for something to do today so that I did not waste a minute of the day just sitting around. Wanting frantically to entertain myself for the day, I unconsciously grabbed a rag and watered down bottle of Windex and began working with the motive of wanting to earn more hours for volunteering in order to pass my Com.1 class, but most importantly to keep myself entertained for the day.

Quickly removing all photographs of the shelves in the main hall, I beat away the cigarette smelled dust off its sanctuary and into the circular waste receptacle that I call the “filing cabinet”.

After the completion of this menial task, my body went through a paradoxical sense of joy and fulfillment. As if this display of volunteerism had some impact on me greater then the original outcome of just achieving more hours that enable me to pass my class. I was filled with a sense of pride and self worth as I realized my actions lead to the restoration of the main hall within the museum which, in a domino like affect, caused the museum experience to be more enjoyable for everyone that walked through the hall.

Respect

Respect is a value that is held by fewer and fewer every generation it seems. Thoes who hold no respect for others will in turn, never be respected. More importantly however is respect for our past. We can not and should not forget our history which is they very fondation of our present life. The Titusville Historicle Museum does an excellent job of reminding us of the events that has made Titusville what it is today. With so many oppurtunities to learn about our past there is no reason why the value of respect is not growing. As a community we need to get together and:

• Inform the community
• Gather more people to volunteer at the THM
• Add more to the THM

Too many people know nothing of respect. If we continue to do nothing there is no hope for respect to flourish. And if we can do just these three things perhaps we can give the value respect a comeback.

The Museum

On entering the Titusville Historical Museum, you probably notice several things upon first glance. But one thing that will most likely stick out in your mind is, "Where is anyone?" The museum runs on only volunteerism, membership, and donations. While noticing the lack of staff you may also begin to realize that you are probably the only one in there.

This is a problem!

How can such a historically rich town not have its citizens being informed about the very land they walk on? More people need to stop by the museum and educate themselves in their local history. More importantly many people just need to be informed that the museum exists.

The museume is filled with random facts of Titusville from as early as the 1800's. It has classic pictures from a time when gas was only 20 cents a gallon. Vintage clothing and nic naks cover the wall's of the museum.

Stop by the museum now!