LEWISTON — Museum L-A is continuing to expand its long-standing educational program, Kids as Curators, with this month’s newest gallery installation. Fourth-grade students from McMahon Elementary School in Lewiston worked to curate, design and install an exhibit in the museum focused on immigration and the history of their families titled “Mapping Our Personal Histories.” The public is invited to attend the free opening reception for the exhibit from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 13.

The Kids as Curators program began as an effort to teach students what it means to work in a museum. It allows them to create their own museum exhibits, from historical research to holding an exhibit opening, and gives them the opportunity to work closely with museum staff to learn about the behind-the-scenes work that goes on in a museum. Previously, the student groups came from middle and high schools in Lewiston and Auburn, but this time the museum has offered this opportunity to its youngest group yet.

“It was a much different experience getting to work with the … students at McMahon Elementary School. We were excited to see that while they were finding out about their own personal histories they were beginning to understand where they belong in our community’s history. We are hoping the project will inspire these children to continue to explore local history and enjoy museums in a whole new light,” said Emma Sieh, Museum L-A’s Collections and Exhibits coordinator.

“Mapping Our Personal Histories” is the second Kids as Curators exhibition for Museum L-A in 2019. This project was supported by the Lewiston Auburn Children’s Foundation.

Museum L-A is in the Bates Mill Complex at 35 Canal St. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Special tour requests and large group tours outside of these hours are available by appointment.

For more information, contact info@museumla.org or call 207-333-3881.

Copy the Story Link