Janette C. Walker has become the newest member of the board of directors at the Baldwin County Heritage Museum. She is a retired school teacher from the Baldwin County school system, currently living in Foley. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. and M.A. in Elementary Education, received Special Education Certification from Alabama State University and took post graduate classes in Florida and Virginia to achieve certification in Early Childhood Education.

Becky Holliday, Education Director of the museum says that Ms. Walker’s addition to the board will provide a liaison between the museum and the county school system. “This vacant position has been a priority as the search for new board members with special skills needed to create a strong museum administration has continued. Education is a major portion of our responsibility as the people’s museum, as well as a portion of the mission statement and the articles of incorporation.” she stated.

“Upon retirement, I started working on my ‘bucket list’ of things I wanted to do. This spring was very busy with my participation in the Alabama Master Gardener program. The MG program brought me to Baldwin County Heritage Museum for the first real visit in several years. To say I was shocked at what a wonderful transformation that has happened at the museum is putting it mildly. The potential for growth into a ‘little Sturbridge Village’ is definitely evident. I have informed my Elberta Middle School friends, that they need to make a leisurely visit during summer break to check out the potential wealth of social studies information and service opportunities that are in the Baldwin (County) Heritage Museum. I can see myself involved in many aspects of volunteering at the museum over the next ears. Such service is another ‘bucket list’ item to check off!,” Walker explained.

The museum has over 20,000 sq.ft. of exhibits and 5 acres that are FREE to the public. It is located 3 miles east of the Beach Express on Hwy 98. Phone 986-8375 for more information. The Shipwreck Exhibit closes at the end of July and the museums hours of operation will be changed to Wednesday thru Sat., 10am to 3pm.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The museum is currently experiencing a serious lack of volunteers due to illness and family obligations. Unless we have one or more volunteers for each morning and afternoon period, the museum can not remain open to the public.  Please call before driving to the museum to check the status for the day. We hope this problem will be solved in the near future.