The Columbia Historical Museum recently won a Texas Association of Museums (TAM) grant. The museum was one of 10 in the greater Houston area to win the grant which will entitle it to stipends to enhance the use of technology to enhance the visitor experience.
The Finding Alternative Futures, Phase 2: Digital Fluency (FAF2) grant represents the museum’s commitment to preserve West Columbia’s past by embracing its future.
Columbia Historical Museum Board President Barbara Stubbs initiated the grant process. She said, “We are truly excited to win this grant. After being closed for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum board and members are thrilled to announce that we are back open for tours, and we will be using this grant to expand our visitors’ experience in new ways.”
The grant selection process began in late fall with 148 museums in consideration and only 10 places in the FAF2 cohort. After thorough research and inquiries, the FAF2 coaching team narrowed it down to a “Top 20” list of museums based on their expressed interest and eligibility. The vetting process involved multiple phone conversations with each organization, site visits from a local team member, zoom interviews, and completion of an interest form that ranked the museum’s appetite for specific technology topics.
The benefits of FAF2 are provided at no cost to participating museums. Each museum in the FAF2 cohort received a $500 membership to TAM and an invitation to attend special gatherings at the TAM Virtual Annual Meeting which was held April 12, 13, and 16. Also, each museum in the FAF2 cohort will receive a $1,000 stipend to offset the costs of participation and up to $2,500 stipend as seed money for a technology project in spring 2022.
Columbia Historical Museum Board Member Naomi Smith helped fill out the application, and she was excited to see immediate benefits from the FAF2 team’s advice.
“Already, our board members met with the FAF2 team in a museum walk through in late June. We received recommendations about the museum’s exhibits and storage solutions, and we are following through on their practical advice,” she said.
Each museum has named a team of four persons to represent them. The Columbia Historical Museum’s representation includes Stubbs, Smith, board secretary Jo Frances Chastain and board member Tracy Gupton.
The FAF2 program is online through the summer or until the health environment allows for direct group interaction. TAM is tentatively planning an in-person FAF2 “Colleague Convening” in the fall. Participants will meet monthly with an internal team, a coach, subject-matter experts, and other resource persons. FAF2 will include four content modules focused on: museum capacity and continuity; digital-savvy leadership; online programming; and community engagement.
Interested in learning more about West Columbia history? The museum welcomes tours and volunteers.
The museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is located at 247 E. Brazos Avenue (SH 35) in West Columbia.
For more information, please contact Columbia Historical Museum Board President Barbara Stubbs at 979.824.5961 or at columbiahistoricalmuseum@gmail.com.