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Teachers learn about the Arms museum
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Traci Manning, curator of education at the Arms Family Museum on Wick Avenue in Youngstown, demonstrated African musical instruments in the hands-on portion of the museum during an open house for teachers Tuesday.
By Danny Restivo
YOUNGSTOWN
Traci Manning understands the important role the Mahoning Valley has played throughout America’s past.
“The Valley has such a unique local history, which has impacted the nation,” she said.
Manning is an education curator at the Mahoning Valley Historical Society’s Arms Family Museum on Wick Avenue. On Tuesday, she invited local teachers to tour the museum and learn about the Western Reserve’s history as well as the amenities the facility offers.
“We want children to get an idea of where we came from,” said Manning. “To understand the present and where we are heading, we have to look at the past.”
Teachers became students during the tour, as Manning educated them about curriculum guides, local artifacts and historical displays regarding the area. She also shared suitcases teachers can borrow at no cost to take to their classrooms. The suitcases contain maps, tools, jewelry and other artifacts that offer a glimpse at pioneer and Native American life during the early 19th century.
Along with historical items, the museum offers learning guides with information about African, Irish, Latin American and Indian cultures.
Stephanie Francis is a first-year special-education instructor at Mahoning County Career and Technical center. She thinks the multicultural learning tools — the suitcases — can educate without taking students on a field trip.
“If I can bring a part of the museum to them, it will only strengthen their ability to learn,” she said.
Holly Henry teaches science and social studies to fifth- through eighth-grade students at nearby Mollie Kessler School on Wood Street. She likes the museum’s hands-on feel and the learning kits she can bring to her classroom. Henry believes the multi-cultural displays are something every educator should take time to see.
“Every teacher should come and check this out,” she said.
Manning said teachers and students are welcome to tour the museum throughout the school year. She also said the Mahoning Valley Historical Society is still raising funds so it can move into the Burt Building on West Federal Street. The $6 million campaign project currently has $4.5 million, she said. With the money, the society hopes to have a new, interactive learning environment for children and families, and “it will rival anything that Pittsburgh or Cleveland has,” she said.
The group plans to move into the facility by spring.