Report of Development and Membership 



69 



Smithsonian Luncheon Group 



The Smithsonian Luncheon Group, a circle of supporters 

 from the Washington area, meets regularly to learn about 

 Smithsonian programs. Chaired by C. Benjamin Cnsman, 

 rhe group rhis year heard from Secretary Heyman and cura- 

 tors and directors about the Smithsonian's goals and 

 activities for the coming year. Other programs highlighted 

 the Star-Spangled Banner Preservation Project, the latest 

 work of rhe National Zoo, the "Picturing Old New Eng- 

 land" exhibition at the National Museum of American Art, 

 construction of the Discovery Center and renovation of the 

 rotunda and mammal hall at the National Museum of Nat- 

 ural History, and the search for a new Secretary. 



Museum on Main Street 



When the Smithsonian comes to town, exciting things 

 happen — especially when the impetus is Museum on Main 

 Street. In more than 100 communities in 20 states, Museum 

 on Main Street has inspired creative programs, unprece- 

 dented volunteerism, generous local philanthropy, and 

 ambitious capital improvements. The partnership joins the 

 Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service 

 (SITES), rhe Federarion of Srare Humanities Councils, indi- 

 vidual state humanities councils, and rural museums in a 

 collaborative effort to serve rural audiences and promote 

 professional growth in small cultural institutions. 



This year, Museum on Main Street received a generous 

 grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to 

 support the development and tour of rhe program's third 

 exhibition. "Yesterday's Tomorrows: Pasr Visions of the 

 American Future," which explores the ways we have envi- 

 sioned our future since rhe late nineteenth century, will 

 begin touring in 2001. The first two exhibitions capitalized 

 on small-town local history: "Produce for Vicrory: Posters on 

 the American Home Front, 1941 to 1945" and "Barn Again! 

 Celebrating an American Icon." 



A significant legacy of Museum on Main Street is the op- 

 portunity for professional developmenr. SITES provides staff 

 assistance in exhibit management and object care. The state 



humanities councils train rural organizers in program plan- 

 ning and proposal writing. Working with in-state scholar 

 teams, the humanities councils also help museums prepare 

 exhibirion-related events for and about their communities. 



Gary Burger, director of the Knight Foundation's Arts 

 and Culture Program, observes that Museum on Main Street 

 "brings quality exhibitions to underserved communities, 

 helps strengthen the programmatic and educational capabili- 

 ties of rural institutions, and builds collaborarive networks — 

 all at a very reasonable cost." For SITES, Museum on Main 

 Streer exemplifies the fulfillment of its mission: to extend 

 Smithsonian collections, research, and exhibirions ro com- 

 munities across the nation. 



Eberly Family Charitable Trust Honored by 

 Smithson Society 



Since 1978, the James Smithson Society has presenred irs 

 Founder Medal to members of rhe sociery who have provided 

 extraordinary support for Smithsonian programs and initia- 

 tives that they feel most passionate about. This year's 

 recipient, The Eberly Family Charitable Trust, exemplifies 

 the tradition of individual giving, through annual member- 

 ships and gifts throughout the year, that distinguishes 

 previous medalists. 



The trust's recent pledge of $ 1 .4 million will be applied 

 primarily roward creating a center for learning about earth 

 sciences, the Eberly Minerals and Gems Gallery in the Na- 

 tional Museum of Natural History. The gallery will be an 

 appropriate tribute to the family's strong interest in educa- 

 tion — the primary focus of its philanthropy — and to its 

 involvement in the mining and gas industry. 



Through The Eberly Foundation and The Eberly Family 

 Charitable Trusr, the family has been a loyal supporter of the 

 Smithsonian. The foundation, established through the efforts 

 of Orville Eberly, is a longsranding member of the James 

 Smithson Society. Family members have always been acrively 

 involved in the administration of both organizations. Robert 

 E. Eberly Sr., who currently heads the family philanthropies, 

 accepted the Founder Medal on behalf of the trust at the 

 Smithson Society's annual dinner on May 21, 1999. 



