As the community works together to keep COVID-19 at bay, Stark and Tuscarawas County museums have organized to present content to their audiences in the comfort and safety of their homes and offices.

To stay informed, engaged, and entertained, go to the Facebook pages of the McKinley Museum and Presidential Library, Massillon Museum, Canton Museum of Art, National First Ladies’ Library, Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum for content that will be posted daily at noon. Each institution will provide a virtual program that varies from week to week on a prearranged schedule.

Massillon Museum Executive Director Alexandra Nicholis Coon said her museum peers had been calling and emailing one another as the COVID-19 pandemic escalated to keep each other apprised of their public messaging, and to strategize on how they could work together to maintain visibility and serve the community in fulfillment of their missions. She says, “The museums in our community are here for the public benefit. Just because our doors are closed does not mean our responsibilities to the public diminish. In fact, we could argue our value is more important than ever, as we have resources in place to make content available online.”

On Mondays, the McKinley Museum and Presidential Library will present information about presidential history, pioneer life, astronomy, and the animals in the McKinley Museum’s Discover World. (mckinleymuseum.org)

Each Tuesday, the Massillon Museum will focus on objects in its new permanent collection galleries—the 1908 Jewel automobile, the six-foot carved dragon from an 1890s mansion, 19th- to 21st-century paintings and sculpture, American Indian artifacts, and more. Its March 24 and April 28 Brown Bag Lunch programs will be presented virtually as well. (massillonmuseum.org)

The Canton Museum of Art’s Wednesday posts will share virtual exhibition tours and art-making activities as part of its Museum To Go program, take indepth looks into parts of the CMA collection, and feature a range of content to engage, entertain, and educate people of all ages. (cantonart.org/learn/Museum-To-Go)

Every Thursday, the National First Ladies’ Library will celebrate women’s history, the Saxton McKinley family, and the library’s 2020 themes—women’s rights, the suffrage centennial, campaigning first ladies, and women running for office. It will provide content to listen to, as well as interactive lessons and activities for adults and youth. (firstladies.org)

The more than 100 years of professional football history will be the Friday focus of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Facebook programs. (profootballhof.com)

On Saturdays, the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum will address topics such as railroad history, World War II, canteen history, railroads, amusement parks, and Bing—the museum’s World War I mascot. (dennisondepot.org)

“Visit Canton and the entire tourism industry applaud the partnership and creativity to continue to bring programming to our community and guests during this unprecedented time,” said Ally Bussey, president of Visit Canton. “We are so proud of our amazing tourism assets and the value they add to our lives, and we hope that our communities will rally around these treasured institutions and continue to support them as we navigate this challenging environment.”

Visit Canton encourages residents to stay informed of interim opportunities like this collaboration, as well as other ways to support local businesses on its website, VisitCanton.com, or on social media at #visitcanton.

CANTON MUSEUM OF ART

1001 Market Avenue North

Canotn, Ohio 44702

cantonart.org

330.453.7666