Museum Grand Opening
The 2009 NOAC Museum of Order of the Arrow and Boy Scout History is impressive! If you visited the History Museum at the 2006 NOAC, you would not recognize it. For the first time guest who have never visited the Museum, you will be amazed. With over 11,000 square feet of display space it is twice the size it was in 2006. It is unquestionably the largest single display of OA memorabilia ever.
The museum was setup in new, logical format. The museum has been divided into five time periods each highlighting the changes and progress made throughout our Order's history. It begins with 1907-1934: Scouting's OA Foundation, 1935-1947: OA Growth and Acceptance, 1948-1965: National OA Establishment and Maturity, 1966-1990: Refinement, 1990-present: Modern Era. In order to compliment this year's theme, "The Power of One," each era features a biography of an Arrowman who used their dedication and commitment to help the Order become what it is today.
A "reflection room" is the final stop in the Museum experience. Here, Arrowmen can share their ideas of what the "Power of One" means to them and how they, like the servant leaders before them, can impact the Order of the Arrow and define their legacy as a Scouter.
Simply put, there's a ton of stuff here; from antique pins and patches, merit badges and handbooks, uniforms and sashes to photographs and postcards. "We're trying to get the wow factor from people when they walk in to each room," says co-adviser Steve Gaines. The items in the museum come from several different sources, but most were acquired from collections that were donated for inclusion in this Museum. Gaines and fellow adviser Craig Leighty both agree that the Museum is what it is because of the generosity and cooperation of collectors.
History is on display with cases lined with patches, books, and other memorabilia. There is a piece of wood from the original Brotherhood Tree, a section of the rock on which the first vigil was taken. In a separate room, there is the wall of lodge flaps and council patches. There is a flap from every lodge and council in the nation. Several original OA-related paintings from renowned artist Joseph Csatari are on display. A real treat was finding Del Loder, this year's Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient, making his way through the Museum, telling stories and sharing his personal insight on his contributions to the Order.
The final room included an impressive display of ArrowCorps5 videos, photos and an explanation of what this OA Conservation project was about.
Robert Mason, Chairman of the OA Center of History, believes, "this is one opportunity at the Conference that you do not want to miss. It is a place where you can learn the legacy of the men that carried the movement from its infancy."
Revised 8/3/2009