|
I am honored and grateful to join this organization as the new Executive Director of Joslyn Castle and Gardens. I continue to be astonished by the contributions of the staff, volunteers and board of directors who have cared for George and Sarah Joslyn’s legacy and have been willing to work hard to preserve this important history. As the new Executive Director, I will be working with the board and our communities to develop a master plan that protects this historic property while providing a vision for the next generations. We have such an opportunity on these grounds to continue to fulfill the promise of the Joslyns' legacy by creating opportunities to engage with our rich and diverse community! One would not believe the number of tourists and visitors who are intrigued by the Castle, and the local community members who want to share, participate, and engage with this historic landmark.
This new role is a perfect fit with my love of history, learning from our past and creating something that adds immense value to our community. The position of Joslyn Castle and Gardens Executive Director is the second opportunity I have had to work with a historic landmark nonprofit: before accepting this position, I was the development consultant for the Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte Center in Walthill, NE. I am honored to have touched that project and met many people dedicating their work to preserving her legacy and the culture and heritage of her beloved Omaha Tribe. Other past executive experiences have been positions with the Women’s Center for Advancement, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney and the State of Nebraska.
I thank all who have given me such a kind reception, and I look forward to meeting all our visitors and friends at the Castle.
Best regards,
Amy Richardson
|
|
|
Organ Music Returns
to the Castle
|
When the Joslyn Castle & Gardens was recently approached about an opportunity to bring organ music back into the historic home, the answer was an enthusiastic YES!
A crew of four church friends with a passion for salvaging historic organs sprang into action. Westminster Presbyterian at 35th and Woolworth was undergoing an ownership change and was looking to rehome their original pipe organ, installed when the church was built around 1923. Who could possibly house this giant instrument?
|
| Letter from our Board Chairwoman Joleen David
|
2022 has been a year of growth, change and celebration at Joslyn Castle & Gardens.
Our annual list of diverse programs and events grew to include new interactive murder mysteries, a new, free summer Concert at the Castle, the Poetry and Art series, in collaboration with Joslyn Art Museum, the return of the informative Architecture on Tap series, our first-ever Indigenous Peoples Day event, the hit Legends and Libations event, and the new This Old Castle series.
|
|
|
Joslyn Castle Conservatory Slated for Restoration |
The Joslyn Castle & Gardens is celebrating 120 years in 2023, and with that achievement comes renewed enthusiasm and drive to continue our mission of preserving and sharing this important piece of Omaha’s history with future generations.
In 2022, our Board of Directors Buildings and Grounds committee met regularly with engineers and architects to identify our most pressing structural concerns. This structural triage of the campus identified the Conservatory as our most urgent priority.
The architectural significance of this 385 square foot space cannot be overstated, both to the Joslyn Castle & Gardens and to the State of Nebraska. The current iteration of the steel and glass structure was designed in 1913 by celebrated landscape architect Jens Jensen, who is most known for defining the Prairie School of design in landscape architecture.
|
|
|
Letter from our Guild President Kathy Gross
|
The Joslyn Castle and Gardens Guild has had a very busy Fall season planning our annual Holiday preview party and Boutique. It was a lovely affair with 17 vendors, many of them new to the Boutique this year.
The Castle was decked out in her Christmas finery. If you were not able to come this year, we hope that you put it on your calendar for next November.
|
|
Staff Spotlight:
Meet Meg Welch
|
Meg Welch recently joined our staff and during her brief tenure as a member of the docent ranks, she has made quite the impression. It’s hard to imagine how we lived so long without her.
"I’ve always had a certain love for the Castle,” she said, “Its aesthetic is incredible, I love that it’s a center for the arts, and that is how it was donated to the city. I like what they’re doing, I like where they’re going. I want to be a part of that.”
|
|
|
Unlock Omaha's Historic Treasure
Become a Keyholder!
|
By becoming a Joslyn Castle Keyholder, you are a part of preserving Omaha's history. Keyholders receive annual benefits including discounts to cultural and educational programming, free public tours, and early access registration to sold-out events.
New in 2023: As a thank you to our community, we are excited to offer a new discounted membership rate for our Joslyn Castle neighbors.
|
|
|
Joslyn Castle & Gardens and History Nebraska Partner on New Preservation Series |
Old home ownership is not for the faint of heart (trust us, we know!), but we're here to help!
We've teamed up with our friends at History Nebraska to bring you a series designed to demystify maintaining and preserving your old home or building. We're calling it This Old Castle, and you're invited to learn alongside us from the best experts in town.
From insulation, to windows, to tax incentives, to decorative trim, to choosing the right paints...it can be a lot. We've gathered some of the most respected craftspeople break it down for us, brick by brick.
In addition to interactive presentations from the experts, attendees will be the first to learn about (and see) the major restoration projects happening inside the Joslyn Castle. After the presentation, we'll open up the floor for attendees to crowdsource solutions from fellow novice preservationists, share challenges, and of course, share successes.
|
|
|
Free International Breakfast Draws Hundreds for Giving Tuesday |
We can’t thank the community enough for the response we received for our Giving Tuesday breakfast! The Castle welcomed almost 200 people to share a free meal prepared by immigrant and refugee women offering dishes from their homelands.
These women are students in the Eat N' Talk Africa Culinary Training program and we’re so grateful for their hard work. Guests enjoyed dishes from Syria, West Africa, Sudan, Venezuela, and Ukraine.
After enjoying their meal, guests enjoyed a free open house and the opportunity to meet with the Castle staff and board, as well as members of our partner organizations.
It was wonderful to collaborate with our campus neighbors One Omaha, Refugee Women Rising, and Chef Jamil of Eat N' Talk Africa to bring this experience to life. Thank you to our neighbors who joined us and made their annual contributions for Giving Tuesday!
|
|
|
| This Old Castle with History Nebraska |
| Art and Verse with Joslyn Art Museum |
|
|
Speakeasy Series:
Malt Whiskey | | | This Old Castle with History Nebraska |
|
|
Check back often as we continue to grow our programming calendar!
|
As we wrap up another year, we are filled with gratitude for our community that we are able to continue to maintain this incredible place for future generations. In 2023, thousands of visitors filled our halls for performances, lectures, exhibits, and tours. Your donations make this happen.
Each year we must raise the money to keep this place beautiful and thriving as the Joslyn Castle has no financial endowment. In 2023, we are embarking on an ambitious master plan to address several pressing preservation issues on our historic campus. We cannot do this alone.
Please consider investing in the future of our historic treasure with a year-end gift to Joslyn Castle & Gardens. Thank you!
|
|
|
Manage your preferences | Opt Out using TrueRemove™
Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.
View this email online.
|
3902 Davenport St | Omaha, NE 68131 US
|
|
|
This email was sent to .
To continue receiving our emails, add us to your address book.
|
|
|
|
