Ocean View Station Museum

Sometimes, when Anouk and I visit the Pretlow Library in Norfolk, we stop in and visit the Ocean View Station Museum on the ground floor before we leave, if it's open. It's one of our favorite places to visit, so I can never quite believe that many people don't even know the little museum is there.

Which is kind of like Ocean View itself: a lot of people don't know that this quiet-but-colorful neighborhood in Norfolk used to be one of the most popular beach vacation destinations on the East Coast. In its heyday, Ocean View featured an amusement park, resort hotels, a bustling boardwalk and fishing pier.





When my mom was a little girl, her grandparents, my great-grandparents, Anouk's great-greats (!), lived in a little brick house right on the beach in Ocean View, and she and all of her siblings and cousins spent a lot of time there. So Ocean View has a special place in my heart, and it's fun to be able to peek in and take a look at how it used to be. A. and I like to take our time moving through the museum, looking at everything: the old ticket stubs and photographs, old Granby High yearbooks from the 1920s and '30s, and even the restored front car of the Rocket, the amusement park's most popular roller coaster (which was spectacularly demolished in a made-for-TV movie in the 1970s).

More information about the Ocean View Station Museum's hours and exhibits can be found here. Be sure to stop in the next time you return your library books and have a chat with one of the staff, most of whom remember Ocean View the way it used to be and are all too happy to tell you all about it.

Is there a place that means a lot to your family? Tell us about it. And have a great weekend!

Chrysler Museum Glass Studio

I love creative playdates! A week or so ago, Anouk and I joined friends to go and see visiting artist Gianni Toso work live in the Chrysler Museum's glass studio. And it was probably my favorite of our adventures around town to date -- such an inspiring, educational, and colorful experience. I've never seen anything like it before (not even in all my poking around for things to do).

I'm not sure what I expected -- maybe something like the glassblowers at Jamestown? Sort of campy and fun? While this was definitely fun, there was far less of a boisterous vibe. Things were quieter, more focused, as the artist worked and the people sitting in rows of chairs around the workspace watched intently. Occasionally, a staffer with a microphone would step up to narrate what Toso was doing as he switched tools, or melded two different colored glass rods and stretched them into a delicately twisting ribbon. Classical music was playing while he worked and there were also large monitors hanging around the room so that even the people in the back could see. Toso comes from a family line of glass makers spanning back 700 years (that's not a typo), and he himself has been doing this for six decades, so you really want to be able to watch him closely, and luckily, you can.

Anne and her friend C. really enjoyed strolling around the perimeter of the room and looking at all of the work done by glass studio resident and visiting artists -- the more colorful or intricate it was, the better. To be completely honest, though, this was probably one of those outings that was more exciting the parents than the kids, at least in our case. S. and I were fascinated by the whole experience, but I think they were just too young to appreciate it fully. However, there were many older children in the audience -- ages 6 to 8 or so and then some older tweens and teens -- who seemed as into it as we were. So that's probably the best age group for this event.

The next nearest museum-affiliated glass studio in the U.S. is in Toledo, Ohio (there are only five in the whole country), so we are very lucky to have this one so close to home. And there are many opportunities to visit. The Chrysler's glass studio presents free daily demonstrations at noon, every Wednesday through Saturday, and regularly offer classes, workshops, and Third Wednesday parties with booze, music, and glass art demonstrations. You can find out more on the studio's website, and you can see more of what these remarkably talented artists do on the studio's YouTube channel.

Moses Myers House

Our playgroup visited the Moses Myers House the same day we visited the Norfolk Police and Fire Museum -- after all, they are right next door to one another. I had visited the Myers House last October for a ghost walk but I was excited to see it in the daylight as the house is truly one of the most beautiful places in Norfolk, with original 18th century furnishings, stunning ceiling filigree, and ornate Wedgwood fireplaces.

The Myers family was the first Jewish family in Norfolk, arriving in 1792, and remained one of the most prominent until the 1930s. They had a lot of tragedy befall them, leading to some sad but interesting stories (and a lot of ghost lore -- some of the Myers House staff can tell spooky tales of encounters with the former residents).

While at the house, we were also excited to see an original sculpture exhibit done by glass artist Beth Lipman, called "Adeline's Portal" after one of Moses's daughters. The exhibit features hundreds of clear glass pieces modeled on artifacts found throughout the Myers House; we could have looked at it all day and still found new things to admire.

Truthfully, I think our brood of toddlers were just a little too young to fully appreciate all the house had to offer, but they did enjoy exploring, especially in the house's rambly back garden. I think the 5-and-up crowd would more inclined to appreciate the history of the place and I'm looking forward to making more visits in the future -- with and without A.

Norfolk Police and Fire-Rescue Museum

A. and I have passed the Norfolk Police and Fire-Rescue Museum on Freemason Street probably a hundred times while on our way to other places. I've been reminding myself for almost a year to make a trip there, but it wasn't until last week that we finally stopped in with our playgroup -- three moms and a gaggle of eager two-year-olds.

The museum -- which is actually two museums in one building -- houses artifacts that represent the police and fire departments' long and storied histories -- helmets, badges, boots, insignia, etc. We had fun peering in the cases and at the old photographs, but I think the big highlight of the trip was the old police radio and flashing siren perched on the front desk. The kids took turns playing with it for the better part of an hour (with varying degrees of cooperation).

For me, it was a special moment to see my great-uncle (whom I never met) listed in the register of fallen firefighters, a little bit of a personal connection to all that history. It was also really eerie to be able to run our hands over the piece of the World Trade Center that stands by the door.

The Norfolk Police and Fire Rescue Museum is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10-4 PM, and Sunday from 12-4 PM and admission is FREE. And they give you your own badge, what more could you ask for?

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Family Day at the Chrysler Museum

The Chrysler Museum will be closing its doors for renovations on Dec. 30th. Some museum exhibits will still be open to the public in other locations, but the museum itself won't open again until early 2014. As such, we wanted to be sure to take advantage of the last Second-Saturday Family Day because it's going to be a long time before we get the chance again. (I keep thinking about how A. will be almost three by the time the museum reopens and it blows my mind). On Saturday afternoon, we met up with friends in the gorgeously decorated Huber Court and decided to have one last hurrah.

The Chrysler has several family-friendly events throughout the month, but Family Day is our  favorite, hands down. There are crafts, music, and stories. As usual, admission to the museum is free (although donations are appreciated). It's a great bargain and wonderful resource for art lovers.

This Saturdays theme was Build It! Accordingly, we stopped by craft tables in the courtyard to build miniature houses and Sculpey snowmen. While we waited for Anouk's snowman to dry, we heard a few stories in one of the galleries, and then roamed around some of the exhibits, including the amazing Diamond Dust and Anouk's old favorite by Pinaree Sanpitak. This time, she wasn't a bit scared of the chiming stupas, but she did try to lay down and snooze on a few, thanks to missing her nap (will she even still be taking daily naps by the time the museum reopens?)

Of course we also stopped by the beautiful poinsettia tree for some holiday pictures. None of which were very blogworthy (see above: nap, missing), but would make perfect additions to awkwardfamilyphotos.com. You'll just have to trust me on this.

This storyteller was amazing...every single eye person in the room, kid and adult, was rapt.

People are always saying, when they hear we're from DC, that we must miss the wonderful museums in the city. But the truth is, we don't, so much, and the Chrysler is one of the big reasons why. It's a fabulous, carefully curated place with wonderful staff and we're going to miss it. Goodbye for now, Chrysler! Although we're excited to see you in all your glory when you reopen.

The Chrysler will be open Wednesday through Sunday through the end of the month, with a big sendoff party on Dec. 26th! More info about that here and other events here.