Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Bell.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My love of museums began early. As a kid, I was always the one wanting to visit art, history and science museums when we would take vacations. It is like reading a good book… walking through a space surrounded by objects you become immersed in the history and narrative of the exhibition. Like many kids graduating with a degree in history, I wasn’t sure what my next step would be. I knew I really wanted to use my degree and found a masters degree in Museum Studies. Once I began that I knew I had found my place and fell in love with the idea of curation, developing exhibits and bringing the collection to life.
After completing my degree and an internship at a small historical museum in Plano I came to the Bowling Museum. When I began here I knew virtually nothing about bowling but I jumped in and learned about bowling’s rich history, the collection and the industry. It is so rewarding personally to work in a place where the visitors have such a passion and personal connection to the museum. I am continuing my education and now working towards a Ph.D. in Humanities at the University of Texas at Dallas, There I am continuing to develop my knowledge of the field and am researching historic exhibitions.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not always been easy, but if it had been it would mean I wasn’t pushing myself. I would rather be doing something difficult that I am passionate about than to be complacent. As a single mom with three kids, a full-time job and in grad school I definitely have moments where I am struggling to find the hours in the day to get everything done. However, those are all things that give me great joy. My hope is that I will make my kids proud and can provide them a lesson or two about the rewards of hard work along the way.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame story. Tell us more about the business.
The bowling museum is a true gem. We interpret a wide history. As one of the oldest sports, there is a great variety of games played around the world. From bowls, kegeling, skittles, pé·tanque, nine-pin, candlepin and ten-pin bowling virtually everyone has some sort of interaction with bowling. We work with federations from around the world to develop this history and make it accessible. With such a large framework of history, there is always something new and exciting in the works.
One of the unique things about the museum is its proximity to the bowling industry. As a part of the International Bowling Campus in Arlington were housed with the United States Bowling Congress, Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the International Training and Research Center to name a few. We work closely with these organizations which has the effect of creating a vibrant atmosphere for the museum and in exhibit development.
As the Hall of Fame for the industry, we work closely with the best in bowling to preserve their history and to develop exhibits. We also reach outside the walls of the museum into national bowling tournaments and a satellite museum in Reno; whether or not you can make it to the main location in Arlington there are chances to interact with that history.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
As a curator in a history museum, there are some new and exciting changes going on in the field. Technology is changing not only the way we record history but how we represent it. One of the exciting projects we have at the bowling museum is the beginning stages of creating a digital archive.
Eventually, that will allow anyone with an internet connection to be able to view a large part of the museum’s collection which would traditionally be limited to archival researchers coming into the museum. Additionally, we’re working on online exhibits which will allow individual countries to represent their own history with the sport.
This is one small way in which our museum is part of a larger shift in historical representation and access. With the increasing ability of curators to make their collections more accessible and create online exhibits the way that we reach audiences is only going to improve. It is an exciting time to be involved in the industry!
Pricing:
- Adults: $9.50 + tx
- Seniors (65 and over): $7.50 + tx
- Children 4-18: $7.50 + tx
- Children 3 & under: Free
Contact Info:
- Address: 621 Six Flags Dr. Arlington, TX 76011
- Website: www.bowlingmuseum.com
- Phone: (817)385-8215
- Email: info@bowlingmuseum.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bowlingmuseum/?ref=bookmarks
Image Credit:
Ellman Photography
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