I N D I A N A S TAT E M U S E U M A N D H I S T O R I C S I T E S
CROSSROADS EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2020
INDIANA STATE MUSEUM AND HISTORIC SITES
AWARDED 2020 BEST PRACTICES AWARD FROM ASSOCIATION OF MIDWEST MUSEUMS The Association of Midwest Museums (AMM) presented the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites with its 2020 Best Practices Award on Nov. 20. The award – given to a cultural institution that has demonstrated thought-leadership through innovative programming and museum practices – honored the museum system’s exhibit “FIX: Heartbreak and Hope Inside Our Opioid Crisis.” The awards presentation was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gregory M. Wittkopp, director of the Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research and chair of the AMM Awards Committee, noted during the ceremony that the name FIX – although deceptively short – immediately grabs a visitor’s attention, takes their hand and pulls them into the experience. The exhibit provides a safe place to talk about the crisis and explore potential solutions through engaging design, bright colors and simple words. Wittkopp also noted during the ceremony that the exhibit, about and for Indiana, took a community-driven approach and set a new standard for
museums throughout the Midwest. The exhibit and related programming will continue at the museum and historic sites through Aug. 1, 2021. Afterward, portions of the award-winning exhibit will travel to Minnetrista in Muncie.
Virtual award ceremony
Working with state and local partners played an integral role in making the award-winning exhibit a success. More than 50 community partners joined the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites to make FIX possible, including Next Level Recovery, Ball Brothers Foundation, George and Frances Ball Foundation,
Efroymson Family Fund, CVS Health, Jasper Group Brands and Barnes & Thornburg LLP. “You often hear ‘It takes a village,’” said Cathy Ferree, president and CEO. “In this case, it took a state.” Bethany Thomas, vice president of education and engagement, said working with community partners was critical for the exhibit. But working with the variety of partners came with a few challenges. Some community partners had never worked with a museum before. Still, all of the partners – from advocacy groups to healthcare communities and the IU Grand Challenge – added their expertise and input to an exhibit that humanizes the opioid crisis through personal stories while also taking a look at the biological nature of substance abuse. “All of these partners came together and trusted us,” Cathy said during the event. “That people were willing to trust us is the biggest compliment a museum can have.”
SECURITY UPDATE Winter weather will be here before we know it. Taking a few safety steps and learning how to stay safe now before winter weather hits can help. WINTER WEATHER WATCHES, WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES: WHAT DO THEY ALL MEAN? A winter storm outlook means winter storm conditions are possible in the next 2 to 5 days. A winter weather advisory gives a heads-up that winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening. A winter storm watch means winter storm conditions are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. People in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions. A winter storm warning indicates life threatening, severe winter conditions have begun – or will begin – within 24 hours. People in a warning area should take precautions immediately.
WINTER DRIVING On average, more than 6,500 people are killed and 400,000 injured each year in weather-related vehicle crashes. Most of these accidents happen when the roadways are wet, snowy or icy. When weather takes a turn for the worse this winter take precautions when driving. Whether there is a coating of snow or ice on the roadways, or the asphalt just appears to be wet, SLOW DOWN! If the temperature is near freezing, drive like you’re on ice – because you just might be!
NOVEMBER ANNIVERSARIES JOHN BAUGH Experience
9 years
MEGAN MANCE Engagement
8 years
JAKE SHEFF Collections
3 years
SONDRA MCGEE
Indiana Store 2 years
AURANGZEB MUGHAL Visitor Services NORA WOODMAN Development
TERESA COX Limberlost
WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FLOWER FUND? Although all-staff meetings are virtual due to COVID-19, you can still contribute to the staff Flower Fund! The Flower Fund provides flowers and donations for major events happening in our colleagues' lives. Donations can be made in the Flower Fund box in the accounting office. Any contribution is greatly appreciated!
2 years 1 year 1 year
Elizabeth Bostelman is the program developer at Angel Mounds State Historic Site. She began working for the museum system in September 2016. Elizabeth’s duties include the development of programming at Angel Mounds, managing facility rentals and the gift shop, and providing daily tours at the site. She lives in Evansville.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT: ELIZABETH BOSTELMAN WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT? I have lots of things I’ve done that I’m proud of, but the first thing that jumped to my mind was a project I did during my undergrad. I was approached by my department head, asking if I would like to do a project for the veterans’ affairs office. They needed someone to create posters highlighting the veterans that had attended my university. I agreed, not knowing what I was getting myself into. While I was given little direction, I was able to produce three posters about veterans from the Civil War through World War II, and do research for another set of posters taking the project to the present day. I loved how the project produced a learning opportunity for the university community, and I was able to research and learn about so many cool people and see how the culture of the university changed over the years.
WHAT'S THE MOST DARING THING YOU'VE EVER DONE? I don’t know that I’ve done a lot of daring things in my life, but I did fence when I was younger and had a couple of near misses. Once a blade broke and sliced through my breeches (the pants people wear for the sport) and actually cut my leg deep enough to bleed. I also had a time where a blade went up into my helmet and scrapped along my neck. Thankfully, the blade was dull and just left a red mark. WHAT'S YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION AND WHY? My most prized possession was a quilt I made my junior/senior year of high school. I took it to college, and it is the perfect warmth and is so colorful and crazy!
WHAT WOULD YOUR SUPERPOWER BE AND WHY? I’d like to be Elastigirl from The Incredibles! It would be awesome to have the ability to stretch out during programming – especially summer camp, when it seems like I need to be in three places at once! ALTHOUGH TRAVELING ISN'T RECOMMENDED RIGHT NOW, WHERE'S THE NEXT PLACE ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST AND WHY? This is an easy one! My top travel bucket list is to hike the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall in the United Kingdom. It is 73 miles long and was built around 122 AD which was considered the end of the Roman Empire in Britain.
Celebration Crossing opened to the public the day after Thanksgiving. Visitors enjoyed socially distanced visits with Santa, exploring in the new Reindeer Barn and riding the Santa Claus Express.