Media Contact
Monica Rhodes
[email protected]
(979) 285-8512
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Holiday Festivities Abound at the National Museum of Funeral History
Celebrating our freedoms, history, livelihood and loved ones with a variety of holiday activities
NOVEMBER OVERVIEW
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Holiday Can Food Drive
November 1 – December 31, 2014
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090
$2 OFF MUSEUM ADMISSION with a non-perishable can food donation.
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Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Saturday and Sunday, November 1 & 2, 2014
10 am – 5 pm on Saturday, Nov 1, 2014 and 12 pm – 5 pm on Sunday,
November 2, 2014
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090
Museum admission includes Day of the Dead exhibit and activities. Museum
admission is: Adults (age 12 and up) - $10; Seniors/Veterans: $9; Children age 11
and under - $7; Children 2 and under – Free.
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Veterans Day Tours
November 8 & 15, 2014
10 am – 2 pm
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090
$20 per person includes museum admission, a lunch & learn seminar and bus tour to the local veterans’
cemetery, Houston National Cemetery. Pre-registration and advance payment is required by calling the
museum at 281-876-3063. A minimum of 25 registrants are required to proceed with event; if the minimum is
not met, all registrants will be eligible for a refund.
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Veterans Appreciation Week
November 10 – 16, 2014
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090
The museum extends its appreciation to veterans for their service by providing all veterans and active military
with free admission to the museum the week of November 10 – 16, 2014.
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Remembering Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
November 1 – 30, 2014
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090
Museum admission includes entrance into the Presidential Funerals exhibition, which features a special
President Abraham Lincoln section and focus on the Gettysburg Address. Museum admission is: Adults (age 12
and up) - $10; Seniors/Veterans: $9; Children age 11 and under - $7; Children 2 and under – Free.
DECEMBER OVERVIEW
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Community Memorial Tree
December 1 – 31, 2014
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090
Museum admission includes Community Memorial Tree activity. Museum admission is: Adults (age 12 and up) $10; Seniors/Veterans: $9; Children age 11 and under - $7; Children 2 and under – Free.
Houston, Texas (September 10, 2014) – What do veterans, Abraham Lincoln, departed loved ones and the fight against hunger
have in common? They are all being celebrated at the National Museum of Funeral History in November and December. From a
can food drive and traditional Dia de los Muertos festivities to the commemoration of President Abraham Lincoln’s famous
Gettysburg Address, special Veteran’s Day tours and the commemoration of deceased ancestors, the National Museum of
Funeral History is getting into the holiday spirit with activities to entertain and educate the families of Houston. Please note - all
events and activities are included in paid general admission to the museum unless otherwise noted.
Food = Life: Holiday Can Food Drive
Since millions of people die each year of hunger, the National Museum of Funeral History is partnering with Houston Community
Newspapers to take a stand and join the fight against hunger. In the spirit of the holidays, give back to the community and give
life to those in need by bringing a can food item(s) to the museum. During November and December, visitors to the National
Museum of Funeral History will receive $2 off admission with a non-perishable can good donation, benefiting the Houston Food
Bank.
Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos Celebration
Visit the National Museum of Funeral History on November 1 and 2 to learn more about the Latin customs surrounding the Day
of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos celebrations held for deceased loved ones. Explore authentic altars made by local artists,
commemorate your loved one by leaving them a message in the Book of the Dead and bring mementos of the dearly departed to
help build the museum’s community altar (please note - contributed items should be picked up December 1 – 15; contributed
items remaining after December 15 will be discarded). On Saturday, November 1, the museum will host a story time for the kids
from 3:30 - 4:30 pm with special costumed characters. On Sunday, November 2, a visit to the museum includes fun activities and
sweet treats.
Veterans Day Tours
Come honor our fallen heroes – brave veterans and military personnel. The National Museum of
Funeral History will offer special Veterans Day Tours on Saturday, November 8 & 15 from 10 am
– 2 pm, which include a tour of the museum, a Lunch & Learn pre-planning seminar and a tour
of the Houston National Cemetery, the local veterans’ cemetery. Attendees will meet at the
museum at 10 am and begin with a tour of the museum, where they’ll explore the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier exhibit, discover the traditions behind a military funeral and view a special
photography exhibit from the Smithsonian that tells the story of the dedication of the Vietnam
Wall in Washington D.C. Following the museum tour, attendees will enjoy a complimentary
lunch and special pre-planning seminar hosted by Service Corporation International. Then,
members of the tour can hop on a bus and travel to the nearby Houston National Cemetery to
witness the making of a military funeral and honors, complete with 21-gun salute and more.
The cost of the Veteran’s Day Tour is $20 per person and requires pre-registration and advance
payment by calling the museum at 281-876-3063.
Veterans’ Appreciation Week
In remembrance of Veterans Day, the National Museum of Funeral History is saying “thank you” to veterans by offering free
general admission to veterans and active military servicemen and women the week of November 10 – 16. The museum is a great
place to pay respects to all who serve and have served by exploring the museum’s military related exhibitions, including the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Dedication of the Vietnam War Memorial, learning about military funeral traditions and more.
Remembering Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
On November 19, 1863, during the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a two minute speech that became one of the
most quoted speeches in American history. The Lincoln section of the museum’s Presidential
Funeral’s exhibit will highlight the Gettysburg Address and its significance in redefining the Civil
War during the full month of November. The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil
War, making the town a burial ground for more than 7,500 soldiers. Visitors to the Presidential
Funeral’s exhibit will learn how Lincoln’s address not only moved the 15,000 citizens and surviving
family members who attended the dedication of the 17 acre cemetery, but scores of people across
the globe, as the speech re-addressed the war effort, American independence and freedom in
general, and ultimately went on to shape one of the most powerful economies of the world.
“Remembering Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address” is part of the museum’s “Leave us your Lincoln”
campaign, which encourages visitors to leave their “Lincoln cash” – five dollar bills and pennies – at
the museum near the Lincoln section of the Presidential Funerals exhibition. Additionally, the
museum is relying on visitors to help fill the Lincoln Penny Folder, which features pennies that have been minted throughout the
years. Funds raised through these initiatives will support the museum’s efforts to bring Lincoln funeral artifacts to Houston in the
future.
Community Memorial Tree
With the help of the local community, the National Museum of Funeral History will decorate a special holiday tree to recognize
and honor our departed friends and family. During December, visitors can decorate a paper holiday ornament at the museum
and write the name of a deceased loved one. The ornament will be displayed on the holiday tree in the museum’s rotating
exhibit space. Families are welcome to decorate and take home a special ornament for their own tree.
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FOR HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGES, PLEASE CONTACT MONICA RHODES, [email protected] or 979.285.8512.
About the National Museum of Funeral History
The National Museum of Funeral History houses the country's largest collection of funeral service artifacts and features renowned exhibits on one of man's
oldest cultural customs. Visitors can discover the mourning rituals of ancient civilizations, see up-close the authentic items used in the funerals of U.S. Presidents
and Popes and explore the rich heritage of the industry which cares for the dead. The museum is located at 415 Barren Springs Dr., Houston, TX 77090 and is
open Monday – Friday from 10 am – 4 pm, Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm and Sunday from 12 pm – 5 pm. Admission is $10 for adults and children age 12 and
older, $9 for seniors and veterans; $7 for children 3 – 11 years old; and free for children age 2 and younger. For more information, visit www.nmfh.org, like us on
Facebook or call 281.876.3063.