Just like Ben Stiller’s character in “Night at the Museum,” students at Sam Houston State University will have the opportunity to explore and learn about something that has significance to the small town of Huntsville … Minus the talking characters.
Sam Houston Memorial Museum will open to students and the general public for free as the museum is participating in the Smithsonian Magazine’s 10th annual “Museum Day Live!” on Saturday.
This occasion is a nationwide event with more than 1,400 museums participating. The free event is hosted by the Smithsonian Magazine in light of all Smithsonian Museums offering free admission all day, every day.
“We are excited to participate in this annual event,” Megan Buro, Sam Houston Memorial Museum marketing coordinator, said. “It is an opportunity for visitors to take advantage of free admission to the museum to learn about Gen. Sam Houston and the legacy he and his family have left Huntsville and the United States.”
As the museum is part of the university, it is dedicated to preserving the memory of Sam Houston.
“The museum complex includes approximately 15 acres, including the main museum, which houses the major collection of Houston memorabilia; and two original, preserved Houston residences, the Woodland Home and Steamboat House, as well as a law office, kitchen, and other exhibit structures,” Buro said in a statement.
This will be the fourth year that the university participates in the event. The university originally started participating in the program thanks to former director Patrick Nolan, Ph.D.
“I am continuing the museum’s participation in this program,” Buro said. It’s a great way to get the museum’s name out there. One never knows [whose] interest you may pique. Someone may have been wanting to visit the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, so this may encourage them to come to Huntsville.
According to Buro, there were more than 400,000 attendees at last year’s event. This year, the event is expected to break last year’s record with even more attendees.
Those who are interest must download a “Museum Day Live!” ticket, which is good for two people, through the Smithsonian website: Smithsonian.com/museumday. The museum is open from 9 a.m – 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.