This week we’re chatting with Bethanie Muska Lawrence, who you might recognize as the Director of the World Awareness Children's Museum! After living all over the United States, she shares what brought her to our little city, a bit more about her career journey, and some of the local spots that have come to top her list of favorites over the past couple of years.
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Bethanie Muska Lawrence, and I'm the Executive Director of the World Awareness Children's Museum. I live in Hudson Falls with my husband, Patrick, and we've lived here since February 2018, when we relocated from Nashville, Tennessee.
I grew up in Northern New Jersey and went to college at the University of South Carolina, where I got my degree in Music Education. I've lived all over the place and have taught in Newburgh, New York, Phoenix, Arizona, Franklin, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, and Ramsey, New Jersey. I had never expected to work in a museum, but I got the opportunity to apply for a museum educator job at the World Awareness Children's Museum after my husband and I moved up here, and it changed my career path forever. I went from Museum Educator to Education Coordinator to Deputy Director to Executive Director all in the span of two years. I love my job, I love getting to make a difference in children's lives, and I love that we're able to teach children to be curious about different cultures and people groups. This is sincerely the best job I've ever had.
On Life In and Around Glens Falls
We chose the Glens Falls area because of my husband's job. I grew up in Northern New Jersey and he grew up outside of Hershey, Pennsylvania, and we were happy to be moving back north after living in Tennessee for a year. I love being in the northeast because we're close to both of our families, and living in or near the mountains has always been something I've wanted. Something I think about often is that I grew up going to and working at a summer camp in Corinth, and never expected to actually get to live in an area where I have so many fond memories from childhood. It's been wonderful to be able to make the Adirondacks our home.
We rent an apartment in Hudson Falls, and it's perfect for us. We love that people are genuinely kind, and our neighbors are friendly. I am on the Board of Trustees for the Hudson Falls Free Library, and I enjoy being active in the community.
I love that Glens Falls has so many arts organizations! I have always found solace in the arts - I was a music major in college and studied opera and choral music, and went on to be a music teacher for five or six years before moving to New York. The fact that there are so many ways to experience art - whether at LARAC, North Country Arts, the Hyde, the Chapman, and more - makes this my favorite of all the places I've lived. There is also a robust music scene, including the Glens Falls Symphony and local choral groups. I sing with the Hudson River Chorale and the SUNY Adirondack Community Choir (when there isn't a pandemic), both run by Miriam Enman, and being part of those groups feeds my soul more than anything else.
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
I love grabbing coffee and breakfast at Rachel's Cafe & Spice Company. Rachel and her team are extraordinarily friendly and have the best food and coffee. My husband and I like to take walks around town and window shop because there's always something great to be found. We like to visit Finders Keepers and see what's new in the consignment shop, maybe grab a drink and a pastry at SPOT Coffee, and enjoy the weather. For date nights, we like to visit Craft on 9 for dinner and drinks, and then go home to watch a movie.
This is kind of silly, but honestly, my favorite place in Glens Falls is my office at the World Awareness Children's Museum. I have a wall of windows next to my desk, and I can look out right down to the circle in downtown Glens Falls. I love being able to people-watch and enjoy the sunshine while I'm working. Even though work can be challenging sometimes, I feel very at peace at the museum. We have a great team culture here, and I get along so well with all of the staff. I love what we do at the museum - teaching children and families about our diverse and exciting world - and spending my weekday here is wonderful.
On the Past
One of my favorite memories in Glens Falls is from when we first moved here. It was maybe my second time at the summer Farmers Market, and I was still fairly new to the area. I didn't know many people yet, but I saw so many familiar faces that morning at the Farmer's Market, and all of them stopped to chat with me. It made me feel incredibly welcome.
On the Future
I would bring a Trader Joe's to the area. That's definitely something I miss from other places I've lived!
