Opening Day at the Taubman Museum of Art
Photo: David Hungate
Mary Carlin, Jenny Taubman and John Carlin moments after the opening of the Taubman Museum of Art. Jenny was busy—but not so much that she couldn’t take a moment to thank a couple of volunteers.
Published: November 10, 2008
Updated: November 10, 2008
This is when being a Rotarian is fun.
Not that it isn’t always – this is just MORE fun than the typical lunch meeting.
The Rotary Clubs in the region provided many of the 500-some volunteers who helped with the opening day at the Taubman Museum of Art.
We helped some – but honestly there were so many volunteers that there wasn’t much to do but wander and try to be helpful while taking in the amazing day.
The morning started in the lobby. We were just inside the door after the ribbon-cutting, standing front and center as Governor Tim Kaine and other dignitaries walked in. Among them of course the Taubmans themselves.
Nick is the Ambassador to Romania, the man who transformed Advance Auto Parts into the national company it is today, and the husband of Jenny – in no particular order.
Jenny and I go way back to my early days at WSLS, and I have interviewed most of the Taubman family at one time or another.
I thought she might be too busy to say hello with the multitude of benefactors and VIP’s – but she made a bee line for Mary and me, gave us a big hug, and thanked us for being there.
I can’t tell you how pleased I was.
I told Jenny how I knew it was her will that made the museum a reality. She deferred to all the people who put in so much time – which was nice, but everyone knows Jenny is the one that made the project tick.
So here’s to Jenny who brought Roanoke this new touch of class and distinction and who took a moment to thank a couple of volunteers.
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Reader Reactions
My 9 year old son and I had a wonderful time at the musem on Saturday. If the building alone doesn’t leave an impression on you, what you find inside will! I felt like I had been “punked” after I hurried from the 17th century gallery to inform a volunteer that there was a man asleep in the corner, only to find out that he is part of the display! After turning about a thousand shades of red we returned to the gallery to get a good look.
My son was thrilled to have his photo taken right next to a real Norman Rockwell. His other favorites were the “Truck” mural and the photo of cigrette butts.
There are many more things that caught our attention…too many things to really be able to see on opening day. I see a family membership in our future because we plan on going as often as we can.
I admit, the building doesn’t quite “go” with the rest of the downtown area, but after Saturday I am looking at the musem much like I looked at the man sleeping in the corner of the Florentine paintings gallery. He was something that didn’t really “go” in that room. Why wasn’t he being displayed in the Contemporary gallery? But once I got close enough to really look at him, I found that he is exactly where he is supposed to be…where he will make an impact on his surroundings, just like the Taubman! The man sleeping in the corner is my favorite display there and the Taubman is my new favorite place in Roanoke! :)
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