In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we honor a couple who have been long-time donors and friends of Baylor University and the Mayborn Museum.

John and Marie Chiles are the 2012 recipients of the Baylor Founders Medallion. According to President Kenneth Starr, “Baylor’s highest honor, the Founders Medallion, is reserved for those whose service and contribution have made a significant difference to the life and future of our University.”

In addition to many other wonderful deeds for Baylor University and the community at large, they founded the Strecker Associates, a support group for the Strecker Museum. The Strecker Associates became champions for the dream of a new museum complex comprised of a cultural and natural history museum, the Gov. Bill and Vara Daniel Historic Village, and the Ollie Mae Moen Discovery Center. After 15 years of support and planning, the 143,000-square-foot Mayborn Museum Complex opened in 2004.

Dr. Ellie Caston, Director of the Mayborn Museum, recently paid tribute to the couple, “They saw the vision of a wonderful, new museum and embraced it. They saw the good that was already happening in the old Strecker Museum Complex with its poor facilities and meager resources, but John and Marie saw the potential for greatness AND they did something about it. As founders of the Strecker Associates they grew an organization that would fight long and hard for 15 years as advocates for the vision.”

Congrats John and Marie and Thank you!

 

 

 

Artifact Spotlight
Booker T. Washington’s Autograph

Booker T. Washington was born April 5, 1856, in Franklin County, Virginia, and died Nov. 14, 1915, in Tuskegee, Alabama.

He was an American educator, author, orator, political leader, and a dominant figure in the African American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915. Representative of the last generation of black leaders born in slavery, he spoke on behalf of African Americans living in the South. Washington was also the first president and main creator of Tuskegee University.

See if you can find this autograph in its current home in Strecker’s Cabinets of Curiosities.

Special Events

The Physics Circus 2012

The Center for Astrophysics, Space Physics, and Engineering (CASPER) invites you to enjoy a special performance open to the public at the Mayborn Museum:

February 23, 2011 5:45 pm – 7:45 pm

Take part in hands-on demonstrations with a CASPER physicist and enjoy a theatrical performance, fun house exhibits, and jeopardy game show. The show is geared towards 11th and 12th graders, however all are welcome to attend.

There is no admission fee; however, advanced reservations are required. Please see the Physics Circus website for RSVP details.

 

 

Volunteer Training
February 11, 2012 10:00 am- 12:00 pm

Eager to make a difference?

Welcome to the Jeanes Team! Named in honor of Harry and Anna Jeanes, our volunteer crew enriches the museum experience for our visitors by helping them interact with the many hands-on activities that we offer. Last year, 228 volunteers ranging in age from 16-89 contributed a combined total of 4,175 volunteer hours at the Mayborn Museum Complex. Training is required for all positions and is provided on an ongoing basis throughout the year. Training sessions are held the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10:00am-12:00pm. Reservations are required. Students must have completed the ninth grade in order to volunteer. Contact Becky Hansen at Becky_Hansen@baylor.edu for more information or to RSVP.

 

 

Free Sunday Program
Join us for the first Free Sunday of 2012 on February 5, thanks to the support of our sponsor Kohl’s.

Baylor University's Mayborn Museum would like to thank
Atmos Energy for sponsoring December's Free Sunday.

Join us as we welcome everyone to the museum with no admission charge.

 

 

Museum Store

Need a gift for your Valentine? The museum store has plenty to choose from including stone hearts and freshwater pearl jewelry.

Stay Connected

Facebook & Twitter
The Mayborn Museum is now on Facebook and Twitter. Fans and followers of the museum can be up to date on our latest events. Become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.