The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Education Program has been awarded a $7,500 competitive grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. With this generous support, the Museum plans to serve a greater population of students and continue to offer the Mansion as a site where students can learn about mid-to-late 19th century history, technology, art, and architecture.
“We are very grateful to Fairfield County’s Community Foundation,” said Patsy Brescia, Chairman of the Board of the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum. “Their support has helped us grow our Education Program substantially in the past two years and we look forward to continue to expand this very successful program that will reach out to teachers and students who have yet to visit this National Historic Landmark.”
The Education Program continually strives to build connections between the Mansion’s history and current events while teaching students about the vibrant past of this historic monument. Learning about the past will help students to better understand the present. LMMM’s docents, dressed in period costumes, start the program by visiting classrooms and introducing the Mansion to students through a PowerPoint presentation and other learning tools. The class then takes a trip to the Mansion for a docent-led tour that explores its vibrant history, artistic legacy, outstanding architectural details, and life during the Victorian era.
“This very generous grant from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation allows the Mansion to make history come alive and relevant to our area students,” says Susan Gilgore, Executive Director of the Museum. “Our educational programs and docents can offer students and teachers many tools that will enrich their curriculum and make learning history exciting and memorable.”
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation promotes philanthropy as a means to create change in Fairfield County, focusing on innovative and collaborative solutions to critical issues impacting the community. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds or contribute to existing funds. The Community Foundation is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards, and has awarded $180 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s 2015 cultural and educational programs are made possible in part by generous funding from LMMM’s Founding Patrons: The Estate of Mrs. Cynthia Clark Brown; The LMMM Distinguished Benefactors: Klaff’s and The Maurice Goodman Foundation.
The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum is located at 295 West Avenue in Norwalk. Beginning April 8th, tours will be offered Wednesdays through Sundays, at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. For more information on tours and programs, visit www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, e-mail info@lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, or call 203-838-9799.