The Henry Ford museum and Greenfield Village is the largest indoor-outdoor museum. Online it is easy to navigate through all its different online exhibits. It charts the country's evolution from rural to industrial society through exhibits covering communication, transportation, domestic life, agriculture, and industry. Greenfield Village reserves 80 famous historic structures, including the bicycle shop where the Wright brothers built their first airplane. It has Thomas Edison's laboratory and an Illinois courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law. It also has the Dearborn farm where Ford was born. The Automobile in American Life, inside the museum, is country's adoration with cars. This is perfect for boys to do a research paper on history of automobiles.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Colonial Williamsburg Virtual Visit
Colonial Williamsburg is a magnificent historic site to travel back in time. Online you can see houses buildings and pictorial views that resemble the time when Thomas Jefferson, George Washington and other great Americans lived. This museum can be of great use for teachers when teaching history of North America or about the U.S Presidents. In the Colonial Williamsburg website you can become of a member of the Teacher Community where you can find resources for your classroom.
The Natural History Museum Virtual Visit
The Natural History Museum has scientific excellence in the discovery of taxonomy and biodiversity. It encourages the discovery and delight of the natural world through exciting exhibits as the Life and Earth Galleries, wildlife garden and geological collections. It is a fantastic place for young minds to explore and expand their knowledge thorough engaging exhibitions. Online there is a section just for kids where you will find educational games. It kept me amused for hours online so I could only imagine if I actually visit it in person.
Library of Congress Virtual Tour
The Library of Congress now contains the largest collection of books in the world, with 100 million items, including a Gutenberg Bible, first drafts of the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. It is located in Washington D.C which I hope to visit one day but for right now the virtual tour online is ideal. It has its own tab so all you need to do is click on it and it will prompt you to another page where you choose what building or gallery you would like to visit virtually. This online exhibition not only allows you to see the same collection that is currently on display, but also many additional exhibit objects that have been taken out of exhibition for conservation reasons. I first visited the galleries like the Family Gallery, where the artwork is mesmerizing. I also enjoyed the Poetry Gallery where famous poets like William Shakespeare, have their poetry depicted to murals and visual art. I visited different parts of the building that hold many of our nation’s history.
My Reflection
After coming back from all the visits I realized how fortunate I was. I had the opportunity to visit numerous places that increased my knowledge about Texas history. Throughout this class I have learned many new things and met some very knowledgeable people from all over the state. I found much more information and retained far more than going for a more casual trip. This not only gives you a boost with general knowledge of our State it also gave me a chance to have a one on one with some professional and working librarians. All the libraries that I went to trained me to be a better librarian and how just a smile can make a huge difference. All the library staff that I met during my visits to their libraries helped me immensely. They answered all my questions with a big grin in their faces, which made me feel welcomed and comfortable. I found that once I mentioned that I was studying on a librarian masters program people become wonderfully zoned in speaking of their profession with great enthusiasm, I guess as they figured I had a genuine and keen interest in what they do, as of course I do, as one day this will be my profession.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Exhibitions
The Jacal Exhibition
I enjoyed my visit at the Museum of South Texas History and especially the River Frontier section where it illustrates the geological origins of South Texas. Its collection is offered in state-of-the-art exhibitions that offer an informative, enlightening and fascinating experience to all who visit. The exhibition that I found very interesting was the jacal, which is a house made of straw. Spanish colonist started building jacales in Texas in the mid 1700’s and people still continued to build them through the 1900’s. Inside the jacal there was a stove made from stone which was a replica of a real one found in one of the ranches in McAllen Texas. What caught my attention was a woman’s voice coming out of the jacal. The woman was putting her baby to sleep by singing a Spanish lullaby. I was touched by it because my mother used to sing it to me when I was a child.
Alamo Exhibitions
The Alamo is filled with rich history in its inner walls where you will find artifacts like guns, canyons, canyon balls and much more. Diaries and letters during the battle are there to be read and sadly enough they were the cause of us staying much longer than we thought. We almost missed the history talk given by an Alamo staff in the Calvary Courtyard. I could not stop reading them and just thinking that they knew there lives would terminate soon. The defenders of the Alamo where writing their last goodbyes to their loved ones knowing that they did not have a chance against the Mexican army that outnumbered them by thousands. In one of the plates there was letter from William B. Travis saying he knew this was his last battle but that he preferred to die as a soldier defending his country.The University of Texas at San Antonio/John Peace Library
June 20, 2011
I had the directions to UTSA and still managed to get lost. That is typical of me, I am very bad with directions, I had to stop in a gas station and ask the cashier where UTSA was located. The cashier was very polite and seemed like he was use to people asking him for directions. We finally arrived to UTSA but got lost again luckily a UTSA security car escorted us to the parking lot that led us to the library and allowed us to park in one of the Staff parking spaces. We walked a short walk to get to library that was on our right and went in. I asked the ladies on my right some questions about the library and told me that the information desk would be able to assist me. I went over to the information desk and met a very nice lady named Mel, who told me that they offer computer labs and study rooms for their patrons. She also said that they use the library of congress classification to classify their books. They have their books organized by subjects. Like al the D’s are books about history and the H’s are about Social Studies. The library has two floors and in the first floor you can find the copiers, printers and the scanners.
I really enjoyed my visit to the John Peace library where I learned of new technology that would be great to have in any library. The KIC scanner would save a lot of paper but I would fear copyright infringement. This was the first library that I went to that used the Library of Congress classification.
The University of Texas at San Antonio/John Peace Library
June 13, 2011
I am planning on going to the University of Texas at San Antonio to visit their library. Before going I wanted to know what John Peace Library has to offer to it's patrons. I went to their website and clicked on the library services tab which led to a list of many things the library has to offer. It provides an online reference services to call, text, email or chat with a librarian. It also provides the KIC Scanner that allows students to scan an article from a book or journal. I am excited to go to this facility next Monday.
San Antonio Public Library
June 19, 2011
I arrived to the San Antonio public library without getting lost which was a great start for the day. I went in and went directly to the information desk and spoke to Rolando who gave me some information about the Library. He told me there are five floors in the building but fourth one is for administration. The first floor has teenage/ fiction books, Spanish books and computers that can be used. It also has a section just for videos and movies people can check out. The second floor has nonfiction books and more computers that can be used. The third floor has the all children books and computers with interactive games for the children. The fourth floor is used for administration purposes. The fifth floor holds the reference books and the special collection documents like government and Latino documents. It also has information for small businesses. The sixth floor has old periodicals and Texan documents. He also told me that they use the Dewey Decimal for classification purposes. He also mentioned that patrons could suggest books that they would like for the library to purchase. Throughout the building you can admire great pieces of art, like the one in the third floor where you can find a colorful bull covered in mosaic pieces. It is called 17 Moovelous Young Voices by Thomas Jeffereson High School of the Fine Arts Program.
My family and I enjoyed going to this library because it had a little bit of everything and for everyone to enjoy its visit. My two year old enjoyed going up and down the escalator. She was also very excited to go to the third floor to the children’s section. My husband enjoyed looking at all the artwork that was exhibited throughout the building. It is a library that is complete and satisfies any patron that goes in it.
San Antonio Public Library
June 13, 2011
I am planning on visiting the main San Antonio public library to compare it to our library here in Brownsville. I have done some research about it and checked their location and visiting times. I will be going to the one down town that is the main public library in San Antonio. There are twenty-seven public libraries in San Antonio and the one I am going to is called Central Library. Their website provides its history and how the design of the library promotes the library as an ideal place to gather and enjoy the world of ideas collected in print and online.
The Alamo
June 18, 2011
We arrived to San Antonio at 12:30 P.M and decided to park on the Riverwalk mall to eat at the food court before going to the Alamo. We went upstairs to the street level to walk over to the Alamo. Upon arrival to the Alamo we walked through the corridors facing the Riverwalk mall we saw an enormous and beautiful tree that had squirrels as it's guests. We went inside the old church where there are exhibits of items from the battle of the Alamo, like a Bowie knife and a rifle. We read tearful letters by soldiers who wrote to their loved ones. Inside the gift shop you find many replicas and toys for sale of the Alamo, which help the Alamo. The Alamo does not get money from the state and it is maintained is by donations and sales of the gift shop. In the center of the room there is a replica of the Alamo. We went outside again and walked around to admire the beautiful greenery and native plants. We saw a huge cactus and a tree right next to a wooden well. We went to the Long Barrack Museum where there are more exhibits. Every hour or two an Alamo staff member give talks on Alamo history in the Cavalry Courtyard where the six flags are flown. We were lucky to have made it to the next talk at 1:30 P.M, which was given by Arnold Vogel. He talked about all the history of the Alamo which was very interesting to know how the Mexican army led by Santa Anna tormented the Texans that were inside the Alamo just because they did not wanted to be part of Mexico anymore. When the battle began the Mexican Army outnumbered the Texas Army and in an hour the battle was over leaving most of the defenders, including famous people, like Jim Bowie and Davey Crockett, dead.
The Alamo is a place where many great and courageous people died for what they believed in. The Texans knew that they were outnumbered but still went on with the battle to defend their rights and beliefs. It might have been the end for many Texans but was the beginning that led to the freedom of Texas.
The Alamo
June 13, 2011
My family and I will be arriving to San Antonio at 12:00 P.M on Saturday and we are staying in The Crowne Plaza Hotel Riverwalk. It is about six blocks away from the Alamo. Visiting the Alamo is the first place we will be going to. I have researched the visitors section in their website to be well prepared for our visit. It provides the location and map on how to get there. It also provides the opening times for the month of June.
Port Isabel Historical Museum
June 17, 2011
When my family and I arrived to the museum and ready to purchase our tickets the lady suggested for us to get the one that would allow us to see three museums at the same time. We could not resist so we decided to see three museums in one day. We were first going to go to the Port Isabel Historical museum and then the Treasures if the Gulf museum that is right next to it. The Port Isabel historical museum is in a historic building built in 1899 by a pioneer family of Port Isabel. Outside of it, next to the street, it has a mural that is hand painted and demonstrates the different fish that are found in the Gulf of Mexico. The museum has hands-on exhibits, videos and audio presentations. It has documents, maps, photographs and newspapers from the 1920s – 1960s.
The museum has a large collection of Mexican artifacts from the U.S.–Mexican War. Afterwards we went to the Treasures of the gulf that has the story of three unfortunate Spanish ships that were wrecked off the coast of Padre Island during a storm in 1154. Artifacts that have been rescued from the shipwreck are on exhibition. These include silver disks, coins, and weapons. Later we went to the lighthouse where we found out that my daughter was to young climb it so my husband went by himself and said that the view was incredible.
These museums were amazing to go to and will make a good field trip for students to learn about history and also the shrimp and fishing industry. The Children’s Discovery Lab teaches visitors about marine archeology and includes a small-scale ship for kids to board that elementary students will enjoy as they imagine themselves sailing the Gulf waters. My family and I had a fantastic time in the museums.
Port Isabel Historical Museum
June 13, 2011
I am planning to visit to Port Isabel historical Museum. I have been doing some research and I am excited to go see all the numerous hands on exhibits, audio presentations and videos that explore the history of the Port Isabel area.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
June 16, 2011
When I arrived to Palo Alto Battlefield I went directly to Visitor Center and I met Tim who recommended me to watch a 15-minute video that would give all the information I needed. Palo Alto held a battle for land that led to many deaths and mostly Mexican soldiers due to less effective cannons and guns compared to the U.S. Troops. After watching the short video I read more information on the battle and met Rick who gave me some brochures and recommended me to go out to follow the trail that leads to the actual battlefield. Once I got there I went under a canopy that allowed me to see the flags standing to signify the both armies one of the U.S troops which was on my right and the one on the left which was the Mexicans troops. I got chills standing there, knowing that many lives were lost in this battle.
I enjoyed the visit just because I was able to learn more about history of my hometown. The Palo Alto National Historic site gives an ideal atmosphere for learning. Field trips are encouraged for an amazing educational visit. Students of all ages can learn broad themes of history, including American national development and westward expansion, the struggles of early-Republican Mexico, U.S.-Mexican relations, and military practices of the nineteenth century.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
June 13, 2011
I am planning to go to Palo Alto Battlefield on Friday, June 16, 2011. I have done some research on it and it seems very interesting. Palo Alto was the first battle in a two-year long conflict that changed the map of North America from the original boundary of the Nueces River to the Rio Grande River. The Palo Alto National Historical Park offers important information on causes, events and consequences of the first war between independent Republics.
Brownsville Public Library
June 15, 2011
I went to the Brownsville public library on Wednesday, and went directly to the information desk. I met Jose Gonzales who answered all of my questions. The first thing I asked was what services and technology do they provide for patrons. He mentioned that they have an Internet Resource Center with wireless Internet. They also have a microfilm, which it is very popular with patrons at the moment.
He says that people look at old newspapers for obituaries and now people are looking at land because they claim to have stolen land that belonged to their ancestors. He gave me a calendar they do each month of activities they provide at the library. Each day of the week they provide a new thing, every Thursday they provide materials for children to make a new craft and Fridays they have new movie to show. The library has section just for children where you find computers that they can use for homework or leisure and they have books that are organized by language and topic. There is a TV and sofas to watch movies. At the far end there is another section, which they use to read books and make new crafts. Inside the library there is a Friends Room, which you can purchase, books that were donated to the library for less than a dollar. This is very good to start a classroom collection just in case the school cannot provide books.
I learned a lot from Jose Gonzales that I did not know about our library. I came out of there very happy for having a successful meeting and I learned a lot from it. I went home and told my husband all about it, he was also very interested to learn more. I cannot wait to teach what I learned to other teachers, especially the friends room. I am excited to inform parents of all the fun activities this facility has to offer their children.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Brownsville Public Library
Sunday, June 12, 2011
I frequently go to the public library here in Brownsville but this will be the first time I go and ask in the information desk about its facility and what it offers to patrons. I did some research on the history of the library and found out that its location has changed several times. Brownsville’s public library was first opened in 1906 at the Levee Street offices of Captain William Kelly. Then it moved to three more locations before it moved to Fort Brown Courtroom that is now known as Oliveira library and still serves as the library for Texas Southmost College and the University of Texas at Brownsville. At that time the library provided academic research but due to the growing public’s need for children’s programs and other services led to a new public library. In 1994 Brownsville Public Library opened its doors to the public and still serves patrons.
Museum of South Texas History
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
On Tuesday I went to my class and afterwards I headed over to the Museum of South Texas History. I went to the front desk and met a lady named Sandra who told me that I only had to pay five dollars for the entrance fee because I was a student. She also recommended me to go upstairs first and look at the exhibits before going downstairs and into the jail section. I had previously printed my self-guided tour that told me step by step on what to do and go. I knew this was going to help me take full advantage of my visit and guarantee me that I will not miss anything on my visit. I did not follow it exactly how it said but did try. I first went upstairs and began with prehistoric animals that were found in south Texas. Then I moved on to the explorers who discovered these lands and the Native Americans. This exhibit had artifacts and replicas that went in sequence with the South Texas history. Once I was finished with the second floor I went downstairs to the left side of the building, called the River Crossroads, to see the changes of transportation throughout time here in South Texas. It also exhibits different artifacts like telephones that where used long ago. It provides pictures and has a small theater that shows the history of south Texas. After seeing everything I went to the Old Jail that exhibits parts of the jail that once served its purpose. I went to the hanging room where one man, Abraham was hanged. After stepping out of the building I saw an enormous windmill that caught my attention. It is surrounded native plants, which make it very scenic.
I truly enjoyed my visit to this wonderful museum. I learned a lot of history that I did not know about. This museum made me travel through prehistoric time to today because they are continuously adding more history to it. It also has a permanent exhibition on Freddy Gonzalez who is a winner of the Medal of Honor for his heroic service in Vietnam.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Museum of South Texas History
Sunday, June 12, 2011
I decided to go to the Museum of South Texas History right after one of my classes there in Edinburgh. It is located relatively close to the University so I hoped I would not get lost. I looked on their website on the visitor information section to check the times they are open and directions on how to get there. I also wanted to know more information on the museum so I went to the tab named about the museum and found out that the museum has been part of the community since 1967 when it served as the old Hidalgo County jail. Now the museum takes visitors on a journey through the prehistory and history of the region, which is the Rio Grande Valley. I printed out a self-guided tour that was provided by the website of the museum just incase there is no tour guides available at the time of my arrival.
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