It was "Christmas in August" recently for volunteers at the Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library on the Tusculum College campus.

On Aug. 4, the Department of Museum Program and Studies, which operates the two museums on campus, hosted its annual volunteer appreciation luncheon, which had a "Christmas in August" theme.

Special recognition was given to Emily Doak for her generosity and dedication of her time, talents, and support for not only the two museums on campus, but also the Andrew Johnson Memorial Association, which supports the two museums.

A collection of children's books are being donated to the Doak House Museum in Doak's honor and will be displayed with a plaque, noting her "generosity which has touched the lives of thousands of school children."

Lillian Taylor, president of the Andrew Johnson Memorial Association, described some of Doak's efforts on behalf of the museums, including her work with school groups visiting the museums for various education programs, support of the scholarship program for day camp participants, assistance in coordinating volunteer efforts at the Andrew Johnson Museum, and service as the membership chairman of the Andrew Johnson Memorial Association. Doak is the wife of Capt. Sam Doak, a Tusculum trustee and a direct descendent of the co-founders of the college.

Doak encourages both museum volunteers and association members in their efforts and helps create an atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie among the volunteers, Taylor said. "Emily is the spirit of the memorial association," she added. "It has been a joy to work with her this many years."

Leanette Coyne, a long-time volunteer at the Doak House Museum, was also presented a special gift by the museum staff for her service, particularly in the "Storytelling & Gingerbread" educational program.

The group of volunteers were thanked for their efforts by Tusculum College President Dolphus E. Henry. The museums are a significant outreach to the community for the college, Dr. Henry said, noting that the number of school children participating in educational programs at the museums has increased from 1,500 five years ago to more than 12,000 in the last academic year.

In addition to expressing appreciation to the volunteers, George Collins, director of the Museum Studies Department, shared some of the latest developments at the museums, including one of the outgrowths of archeological field schools that have been held on the Doak House Museum site.

Research into the origins of plate shards discovered during the archeological dig found that the plate, dating from the 1800s, had been made by a company in England, Collins said, and the Museum Shop will soon have dinnerware sets in the same attractive design available.

The Doak House Museum, which was the home of the Rev. Samuel Witherspoon Doak, co-founder of the college, offers a variety of educational programs related to the 19th century and Character Counts. The Andrew Johnson Museum, located in the oldest academic building on campus, houses a collection of books, papers, and memorabilia of the 17th president of the United States. The museum also houses the Charles Coffin Collection from the original college library and the College archives containing documents related to the history of Tusculum. The museums are also two of the 10 structures on the Tusculum campus in the National Registry Historic District.

In addition to administering the Doak House Museum and the President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library, the Department of Museum Program and Studies also offers one of the few undergraduate degree programs in museum studies in the country.

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