Introduction
Unique among participatory museums, the Cobb County Youth Museum uses
role-playing to involve children in the learning experience.
Two guided tours of the museum are conducted each school day for
elementary, middle school, and junior high classes. During the two
guided tours, docents dressed in period costumes lead the tours,
involving the children in self-expression through role-playing and lively
discussion. Children move through numerous settings and exhibit areas in
the museum, participating in an unfolding narrative of selected historic
and cultural interest. Several children are chosen to dress in authentic
costumes and act out a brief skit at each setting along the tour,
bringing history alive in story fashion, much to the delight of their
classmates.
Carefully researched settings with elaborate props and authentic details
form the backdrop for each mini-play experience. Learning is exciting!
Understanding is fun!
The museum is an extension of the classroom. Curriculum advisors from
the local school systems assist in the research and development of the
museum program to ensure a meaningful extension of the formal classroom
experience.
Our Marvelous Volunteers And Board Of Directors
The Museum is staffed with a director, secretary/bookkeeper, tour
coordinators and volunteers who are docents and puppeteers. Members
of the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta volunteer their time and talents
to serve the museum. Volunteers and staff plan, research, design, script
and coordinate to install the exhibits; serve as docents and conduct tours;
plan, stage, produce and perform the original puppet shows.
The museum is governed by a 33 member Board of Directors comprised of
community leaders who volunteer their services. The Board oversees the
operational and fund raising programs.
A Beautiful Natural Setting ...
The museum was built in 1970 in Marietta, Georgia. It is located
adjacent to the Cheatham Hill Area of the Kennesaw Mountain National
Battlefield Park. Visitors enter the 10 acre grounds at the Cheatham Hill
Battlefield entrance, three miles west of the Marietta square on Highway
120 (Dallas Highway).
The museum was chartered in 1964 and originally provided suitcase
exhibits to enhance the curriculum of the city and county schools. At
present, approximately 15,000 students, teachers, and other adults come
through the museum annually. This is a 501 (c) (3) organization, a
tax-exempt non-profit educational institution and resource center. It
offers children the opportunity to learn about significant historical,
social, and cultural events through institutional activities which
integrate arts and education while emphasizing personal involvement and
participation.
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