The Muscatine Art Center's Music Room
Thursday, September 24th at 5:30 p.m.
FREE ADMISSION
Join Muscatine Art Center Director, Melanie Alexander, for an exploration of the life and legacy of Laura Musser McColm Atkins. The presentation, "Laura Musser & Her Legacy", is offered as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Laura Musser Art Gallery & Museum, later named the Muscatine Art Center. Photographs of Laura Musser, some rarely on view, will be woven into the free presentation offered on September 24th at 5:30 p.m.
Details about Laura Musser's family, her marriage to Edwin McColm, her involvement in the McColm Dry Goods Store, and her second marriage to William T. Atkins of Kansas City will be shared. Through oral histories given by Laura's domestic servants, the day-to-day operations of the households as well as the individual experiences as a member of Laura's staff will be highlighted. The presentation also includes photographs of clothing belonging to Laura Musser and a discussion of the artwork that captured Laura's likeness during her lifetime.
The Muscatine Art Center's collection includes the locally well-known portrait by Thomas Riss painted from a photograph taken by Oscar Grossheim as well as a marble statue bust of Laura as child created by sculptor George Grey Barnard and a bronze relief bust of Laura as a young lady.
Quotes from Laura Musser's journals from 1936 and 1937 will illustrate how she spent her days in the time period between the passing of her first husband and her second marriage. Laura's words capture the degree to which she took responsibility for the operations of the McColm Dry Goods Store/Laurel Building, her fondness for her family (and especially her close connection to her brother Drew who lived in Little Falls, Minnesota), and her compassion for many individuals and families in Muscatine.
Director Melanie Alexander's talk is the first in a series of programs about the Musser family and their connections. On October 22, 2015 at noon, volunteers from Linden Hill, the home of Laura's brother Drew, will present on Drew Musser, his family, and his connection to his next door neighbor, Charles Weyerhaeuser. Charles and Drew both built mansion which are today listed on the National Register of Historic Places - the Weyerhaeuser mansion is open as the Linden Hill Historic Museum. Peter Musser and Frederick Weyerhaeuser, fathers of the Drew and Charles, had been business partners and friends back in the Muscatine/Quad Cities area. On November 5, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., historian Tom Rasmussen and author Judith Healy will present on the important relationship between Peter Musser and Frederick Weyerhaeuser.
All programs are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.
Please contact Melanie Alexander, Director, with any questions or concerns at 563-263-8282 or by email at malexander@muscatineiowa.gov.
The Muscatine Art Center is located at 1314 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine, Iowa. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday evenings until 7:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit www.muscatineartcenter.org for more information about programs and events and to download a class brochure.
