(Corsicana) Staff at the Pearce Civil War & Western Art Museum recently met with ten area educators who represented grades K-12 from Mildred Elementary and High School, Sam Houston Elementary, Corsicana High School, Drane Intermediate, Avalon ISD, and Fannin Elementary. The purpose of the meeting was to gain insight into how the Museum can better serve the educational needs of students at all grade levels. For example, the Pearce Museum might be of service to the teachers as the destination for all students when they study the American Civil War. Educators were eager to hear about plans to design a traveling “trunk” program full of topic-specific learning activities to go out to the classrooms. Too, staff encouraged teachers from disciplines to consider how they could use the Museum to teach subjects other than art or history. For example, perspective shapes, and angles in Geometry could be taught using the Western Art collection. Inventions and 19th century medicine, as exhibited in the Civil War gallery, could make a great Science class.
The Pearce Museum offers a selection of curriculum-based program designed specifically for 4th and 5th graders, but which can be adjusted easily to work well for both younger and older school audiences. Battles & Brushes is a combined Civil War and Western Art gallery program designed for large groups. Major Engagements is an in-depth look at the American Civil War – what caused it, what happened afterwards, the major battles, and what it was like for the common soldier in the field. In Paintbrushes West! students examine the six basic elements of artistic expression through observation, personal interpretation, and hands-on creativity. Art Tales & Western Ways helps students explore a new chapter in the development of the American West with each work of art in the gallery. A program designed for older children, Beyond the Stacks: A Visit to the Archives allows students to take a behind-the scenes at the inner workings of a museum.
After the meeting teachers took a tour of the galleries and promised to stay in touch with new ideas and ways in which we can work together to make the study of history and art both educational and entertaining.
The Pearce Museum at Navarro College is located in the Cook Center at 3100 W. Collins Street in Corsicana. It is open to the public 10AM to 4PM, Monday through Friday, and noon to 4PM on Saturdays. General admission. For more information, call Museum Director Holly Wait at 903-875-7438.
