Hi, Erin.

We're not a university museum but we do offer a similar kind of program.
On the second Thursday of every month we're open from 7-9 p.m., no
admission charge, and we offer a short (1/2 hour) program with free
refreshments.  We live in a very tourist-oriented community and this
partic. program is aimed towards local residents (altho' all are
welcome).  It is also primarily adult-oriented.  We have speakers,
usually a community member, who discusses some aspect of local history
(early pharmacies in Avalon, for example, and the speaker brought his
collection of early pharmaceutical equipment and many fond memories of
the town's first doctor).  The goals of the evenings are to have an
evening of free admission, encourage local residents to come out to the
museum and see any new developments/exhibits, etc., to encourage a sense
of community and history, and to offer a social opportunity. The
audience always gets actively involved in asking questions and sharing
their own experiences and memories.  They also seem to enjoy socializing
with each other before and after the program. Attendance at the events
is gradually increasing and the informal feedback we've received is very
positive.  We see a core of returning people each month, but also lots
of new faces each time.  We are now looking at ways to more formally
evaluate the events.

Hope this helps.  If you get any info on resources not posted to the
list, could you forward it to us?  Thanks!

Stacey Otte
Catalina Island Museum
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