Amy Hollander, President and CEO, National Museum of Industrial History
Hank Barnette, who has been significantly involved in the National Museum of Industrial History (NMIH), introduced the Museum’s President and CEO, Amy Hollander. When Amy started her position in May of 2015, the exterior of the building had been restored; however, the interior, with the exception of one very large artifact – a 115 ton Corliss steam engine, was empty. Her charge was to have the museum open for business in time for Musikfest 2016. Knowing the timetable was tight, Amy immediately hired 8 full time and several part time staff members, as well as a professional exhibit design team with expertise in industrial history and interactive experience, to make sure the deadline was met.
The project became even more challenging because of the strict standards the Smithsonian sets for loaned artifacts. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History agreed to loan 23 artifacts to NMIH. The large scale of the artifacts made the moving and installation process complex, and experts had to be brought in to conserve and prepare them for display.
The Museum’s collection staff worked simultaneously preparing the artifacts that built America: machines that made iron and steel that were used in transportation, building and defense; machines that supported the silk industry. The result is a collection of over 200 artifacts that tell the incredible history of the industrial revolution that made our nation great.
Thanks to the hard work of Amy and her team, the NMIH opened its doors on time on August 2, 2016, and enjoyed great press coverage locally and across the country. News of its opening was even reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. Since opening, over 2,500 visitors have enjoyed touring the NMIH. After Amy’s personal invitation to our Club to tour the Museum, there just may be a field trip in our Club’s near future!
Announcements:
Our first new member of the 2016-2017 Rotary year was formally inducted into our Club. Patricia Arlene Young-Giunta was introduced by her proposer, Ron Madison. Patricia is the first of the 12 new members we have set as a membership goal for our Club.
After 30+ years of Rotary service, Bob and Madeline Brown have decided to resign from our Club. President Gail read their eloquent and heartfelt letter of resignation. Something will be planned to recognize and thank the Browns for all they have done for our Club over the years.
President Gail read a letter from District Governor Linda Young thanking our Club for making her feel welcome during her visit on August 17. She commended our Club for all that we do in our local and global communities. Kudos to the Rotary Club of Bethlehem!
Registration for Taste & Tunes is off to a slow start. Taste & Tunes Committee member, Bob Smith, pleaded with Club members to sign up.
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month in the Rotary calendar year. In recognition of this important initiative to support basic education and literacy in our own community, we are asking that each Rotarian donate 2 new or gently used children’s books. Sylvia Doyle has set a goal of donating 50 books to Cops and Kids and 50 books to Healthy Kids Bright Futures. A backpack will be at the registration table during the entire month of September. Your donation will help to make sure every child in our community own their own book.
Bill Fitzpatrick announced that our Club is sponsoring this year’s Purple Pinkie 5K Run/Fun Walk on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at Lehigh Carbon Community College in Schnecksville. As a sponsor, our Club will receive Polio Plus credits toward our annual commitment to Polio Plus. All we need from our Club are participants – runners and walkers to represent our Club. Let’s make this a fun and fellowship activity while helping to support Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide.
Next week is our monthly Club Assembly. Please join us for a Paul Harris Fellow presentation, new member inductions and an update on our Centennial Park Project.
Every day, 8,000 people die of waterborne disease. A group of Rotary members is committed to reducing the number of these deaths by providing clean water, and they’ve found a fun way to do it. Beers Rotarians Enjoy Worldwide (BREW) is a fellowship devoted to a love of beer and brewing. The fellowship helps clubs plan events around the world to raise money for global water, sanitation, and hygiene efforts.
