Know? Did You International Museum Day

Gallery

Since 1977, the objective of International Museum Day has been to raise awareness on the fact that, “museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples”. The theme for the 2023 International Museum Day (May 18) is Museums, Sustainability, and Wellbeing.

Museums offer more than the stewardship of artifacts within their collections holdings. They serve as meeting spaces, offer online educational resources, promote public discussion through research, provide virtual tours and/or online galleries, and foster creative engagement for both local and the larger global communities to experience. It is because of the dedication of these organizations to fulfill their missions that trust in museums and cultural institutions has steadily increased over the last five years.

Along with this trust, visitors find comfort in exploring their heritage and learning new ways to understand the world around them. As emotional and mental wellbeing have become vital issues in our everyday lives, museums are taking on greater responsibility in nurturing aspects which promote better wellbeing by providing:

• Positive social experiences and reduced social isolation

• Learning opportunities and the chance to develop new skills

• Self-esteem and a sense of self and community

• Positive emotions such as hope, enjoyment, and optimism

• Increased opportunities for finding meaning

By creating environments that cultivate a shared sense of identity, we help expand on one’s personal health to the overall health of our community. This is accomplished by actively supporting the missions of our museums. And since their purpose is not limited to the institution’s holdings or within its physical walls, the possibilities for interpreting and showcasing the human experience become endless.

The 1973 Presidential Proclamation said it well and still holds true today, “As the pace of change accelerates in the world around us, Americans more than ever need a lively awareness of our roots and origins in the past on which to base our sense of identity in the present and our directions for the future.”

So, on this International Museum Day – and as part of Preservation Month, which promotes historic places and heritage tourism – we encourage you to visit the museums in our community, including Plant City Photo Archives, located at 106 S. Evers St. For additional information or if you would like to share your photos and history, or volunteer with the Archives, please email info@plantcityphotoarchives. org or call the office at 813.754.1578.

References

“The National Awareness, Attitudes, and Usage Study”, 2022 Carlsson, Rebecca, “Are museums good for your mental health?”, MuseumNext, 2022

Chatterjee, Helen & Guy Noble, Museums, Health and WellBeing, 2013

Polly Wiggins VP, Private Relationship Manager

The Bank of Tampa has announced that Polly Wiggins has been appointed to vice president, private relationship manager at its Plant City office, which is located at 509 W Alexander Street in Plant City.

“When you look at Polly’s success and knowledge in the areas of banking and finance, coupled with her deep connections in the Plant City market, she really is the perfect fit for The Bank of Tampa’s culture and relationship-based approach to serving our clients,” said Matt Buzza, Plant City market director at The Bank of Tampa. “With more than 30 years banking and finance experience directly in Plant City, she will be a wonderful asset to our Plant City banking team as we continue to grow.”

Prior to joining The Bank of Tampa, Wiggins served as a relationship banker at Regions Bank. She is active in the Plant City community, serving as an ambassador with the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce.