By Meghan E. Gattignolo
During The Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s 40 years of service to the Clarksville and Montgomery County community, a significant part of the museum’s presence has been an important educational focal point. When the former Curator of Education Sue Lewis retired in December 2022, after serving 33 years as an educator, the museum had an important, and essential, role to fill. They needed not only an educator, but a community figure. Few people could be able to understand the assignment better than Stephanie Stafford.
The Curator of Education’s role is multi-fold. The hands-on exhibits in Explorers Landing and the Family Art Studio are maintained by the museum’s education department, making sure the activities kept there are well-stocked, and that items are circulated out when it’s time for new items to go in. However, equally important is the task of interpreting everything the museum has to offer through programs and events for visitors of all ages.
For many in Montgomery County, a school field trip, special interactive exhibit, or an arts and crafts activity enjoyed with their parents is their introduction to the museum. These positive memories foster a life-long love for the Customs House Museum, making the Curator of Education’s job that much more significant for maintaining museum attendance in the long run.
Stephanie Stafford took over as Curator of Education in 2023. Her experience from 20 years of working as both a teacher and as the principal at Immaculate Conception School (ICS) on Madison Street has broadened her view of the education process and made her particularly well-suited to be the Curator of Education. Since ICS is a non-profit institution, Stephanie developed the methods and ways of creating a great learning environment; she applied that experience to the work she is doing at the museum, which is also a non-profit institution. As a resident of Clarksville for much of her life and through raising a family here, Stephanie understands the local community and its needs, while knowing how to communicate with other groups to expand the museum’s reach.
Stephanie Stafford reading a book during a field trip. Photo by Justin Kaicles.
Children’s Programming
When thinking about educational programming at the museum, the first thing that comes to mind is storytime and art activities for kids. Since becoming the Curator of Education, Stephanie Stafford along with Kathleen Silva, Education Associate, has expanded the museum’s catalogue of programs, while maintaining some key activities that have been on the museum’s calendar for years.
Story Time and Craft: The Education Team reads from a selection of books followed by a craft in the Family Art Studio. This event happens every first and third Thursday of the month.
Stephanie Stafford & Kathleen Silva: The Education Team for the Customs House Museum. Photo by Justin Kaicles.
Field Trips: Most local Clarksville residents’ first experience of the museum has been through a field trip with their class. Stephanie matches the state’s educational standards with exhibits and events happening in the museum, so that educators can relate the museum to the school’s curriculum. As an educator, the importance of working with local teachers to create positive learning experiences during the school year is not lost on Stephanie. The field trip schedule is packed for the rest of the year.
Family Art Saturday: Family Art Saturday is an exciting chance on the last Saturday of every month for families to stop by the museum and make something fun together. The theme changes every month and includes all the art supplies.
Homeschool Field Trip Day: On the first Tuesday of every month, homeschool groups and individual homeschool families can take advantage of a unique experience offered by the Education Team. For a discounted price, homeschool students and parents take a self-guided tour around the museum that incorporates the different disciplines the museum offers – art, history, and science. The experience is a fun way for homeschoolers to enjoy a bit of class time in the museum.
Art and More: In tandem with Homeschool Field Trip Day is Art and More, an add-on program that includes three classes per semester. During the class, homeschool students learn about a specific topic in art – such as a famous artist – followed by a project inspired by the topic. Delve into art history, techniques, and other interesting art topics alongside other students.
Sundays at 3:00 adult lecture series. Photo by Justin Kaicles.
Adult Experiences
While programs for younger people are important, Stephanie thinks the adult programs are less in the limelight than they deserve. She’s interested in expanding the focus of the adult programming the museum offers.
So far, the museum already offers some great adult programs. Sundays at 3:00 – a lecture series given every first Sunday of the month by an expert in their field is hosted inside the museum’s auditorium. In the spirit of the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center’s diverse exhibits, these talks vary widely in topic. It’s the perfect Sunday afternoon activity for grown-ups who aren’t done learning.
Sunday Studio is another great adult program, made possible with a Google Grant. It’s offered every third Sunday of the month in cooperation with The Community School of the Arts. Sunday Studio is led by a local artist and is completely free to enjoy.
Stephanie was encouraged by a recent turn out for the adult programs associated with the new annual museum benefit, Art in Bloom. The activities included a mindful flower arranging workshop for adults. Stephanie hopes programs like this will bring in more curious adults.
Stephanie leading a field trip through the galleries. Photo by Justin Kaicles.
Future Endeavors
As well as increasing adult programs, Stephanie looks forward to ramping up the museum’s outreach in the community. Building on what has already been accomplished with community institutions like the local schools and the YMCA, Stephanie hopes to “assess a little bit better what people are looking for” to improve what the museum can offer Clarksville and Montgomery County in the future.
Among those Stephanie hopes to encourage to attend more often, homeschool groups and families are near the top of her list. She wants homeschoolers to recognize the cultural and educational value of weekly or at least monthly trips to the museum. Stephanie knows that “parents as educators have a lot on their plate and the museum already has lots of art and history learning opportunities,” ready to be mined by homeschool parents.
Stephanie reminds Montgomery County that everybody is welcome, and that the museum is here for everyone to enjoy and learn from. Stephanie says, “Everybody that comes in, I hope they learn more about their community. The beauty of the museum is it offers both art and history, and opportunities to expand and grow and learn all the time – and it’s always changing.”
Check out the events calendar to see what unique programs Curator of Education Stephanie Stafford has available right now for you and your family, and stay updated on new programming and exhibits. Getting a Museum Membership is always a great option for year-round access to the museum.
Stephanie reading a story during a field trip. Photo by Justin Kaicles.
Meghan E. Gattignolo is a freelance writer and longtime Clarksville, TN resident. She loves to obsess about historical subjects and annoy her family daily with unsolicited random facts. Meghan holds a History B.A. from Austin Peay State University and lives in town with her husband and two children.