Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Seacord.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I joined Strawbery Banke Museum in 2010 to publicize the “Fitz John Porter” NH Civil War soldier exhibit and subsequently became Director of Marketing. As a living history museum covering 300+ years of New England history, Strawbery Banke is a logical extension of my long professional interest in history, New England and the stories of those who give historic sites their sense of place. It’s about the people, not the crockery — and places that bring history alive through authentic buildings, original gardens, traditional craftsmen and role-players have always delighted me.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The path of the non-profit, as Strawbery Banke Museum is, is one pocked with bumps that most often seem caused by resourcing issues. Still, the greater the challenge, the greater the reward of meeting — or exceeding — expectations.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Strawbery Banke Museum – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Strawbery Banke Museum is one of the leading outdoor history museums in the nation. We’re also the #1 Trip Advisor “thing to do” in Portsmouth. Yankee Magazine called us the ‘best historical village.’ Visitors say “I had no idea!” And kids just say, “Awesome.” Not bad for a museum started in 1958 to save historic buildings from demolition by Urban Renewal. Strawbery Banke is a 10-acre campus telling the story of the waterfront Portsmouth neighborhood of Puddle Dock 1695 to 1954, through 32 buildings on their original foundations, 8 gardens filled with heirloom plants and heritage orchards, traditional crafts including a master cooper and a Native American basket maker, and costumed role-players who portray real people who lived in the neighborhood. In addition to the historic houses open May through October, Strawbery Banke operates a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink, Dec through Feb and hosts signature seasonal events (Baby Animals in April, An American Celebration for July 4th, NH Fall Festival on the Columbus Day weekend Saturday, Ghosts on the Banke, a family friendly Halloween for kids under 12, and the holiday season Candlelight Stroll in December) plus two fundraisers (Vintage & Vine wine festival and PASSPORT craft beer festival), plus changing exhibits and educational programs. And Pontine resident theatre company, Figtree Kitchen Café, Pickwick’s at the Banke Museum Store and Mombo Restaurant.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Strawbery Banke Museum is in the middle of the process of creating a new Long Range Interpretive Plan designed to make the museum even more engaging to guests.
Pricing:
- Daily admission May-Oct: Adults $19.50. Children 5-17, $9. Families (2 adults/2 kids) $48. Under 5 ,free.
- As a Blue Star Museum, active duty military and their families are admitted free, at all times.
- Labrie Family Skate ice skating, 9 am to 9 pm daily Dec-Feb Adults $8/$11 Children $6/$9 (offpeak/peak)
Contact Info:
- Address: Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock Street, Portsmouth NH 03801
- Website: http://www.strawberybanke.org
- Phone: 603-433-1100
- Email: info@strawberybanke.org
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/strawberybankemuseum
- Twitter: @StrawberyBanke
Image Credit:
Strawbery Banke Museum
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