December at the Museum:  President’s Blog

Tim Harley

2016, December

Dear Friends of the Jimmy Stewart Museum:

As we approach the Museum’s 22nd year of operation in service to the legacy of Indiana’s hometown Hero, James Maitland Stewart, we look to you, our valued supporters, to assist us in continuing this meaningful and important work.

Demographics are changing, and the Museum is working closely with The Indiana County Tourist Bureau to keep pace with these changes and industry standards.  This is reflected in an increase in individual visitors to the Museum but a decrease in charter tours.

A new and important aspect of our path to sustainable operations is our “Values in Education Initiatives.”  Through the beautifully illustrated new DVD produced by the Museum that accentuates the personal history and life lessons of James Stewart, we can share his stellar acting career, along with his distinguished military service and personal responsibility that made Stewart a man we can admire and present to our youth as a positive role model.

We have had more than the usual challenges in securing a Harvey Award winner for 2016.  Perhaps the difficulty in finding a person who fits our image of someone who reflects Stewart’s values suggests something about contemporary culture.  In that sense, we feel that our new DVD is a significant accomplishment for the year and holds timeless lessons for future generations.  Please add to your annual donation by purchasing one or more copies of this moving and meaningful DVD.  In addition, our gift shop now features a range of products that carry the simple message Stewart gave to his daughters as they departed for college, “Always remember, be nice to people.”

With that motto in mind, we thank you for your continued support and ask you to remember us in your year-end charitable donations.

Carson Greene, Jr.

Chairman of the Board

The James M. Stewart Foundation