9/2014: Stafford Air and Space membership events

The Stafford Air and Space Museum is celebrating its members and membership during the month of September.

Beginning today, the Stafford Museum will be participating in a membership "swap" featuring several organizations in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma City Zoo, among eight other attractions are coming together to promote and provide memberships at a discount to its' members. During the entire month of September, current Stafford Museum members can go to the following organizations listed and show their current Stafford Museum membership card and receive special discounts on memberships: Museum of Osteology, Myriad Botanical Gardens, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma Historical Society, Sam Noble Museum, Science Museum Oklahoma, and the OKC Zoo.

"Swaptember is a great additional membership benefit on top of what each organization already provides," said Steve Kerr, ZooFriends Membership Manager. "This is a great benefit not only for the organizations but their own members as well."

September also marks the annual National Smithsonian Membership Drive. The Stafford Museum was named as a Smithsonian Affiliate in 2010 and introduced the National Smithsonian Membership in 2012. This exclusive membership offer is limited to only museums that hold an Affiliate status. There are three Affiliates in the state of Oklahoma and the Stafford Museum is the only one not located in Oklahoma City.

To celebrate the National Smithsonian Membership Drive, the Stafford Museum will be offering a $10 discount on every membership level throughout the month of September.

Smithsonian Affiliations External Affairs Manager Christina DiMeglio Lopez works closely with the Stafford Museum and other Affiliates to maintain the program.

"The Smithsonian Affiliates connect Smithsonian resources with museum members around the country," said Lopez. "Through the Affiliate network museums, like the Stafford Air and Space Museum, are important partners bringing the Smithsonian to communities like Weatherford, OK, so they can experience the nation's museum without traveling to Washington, D.C. This special Affiliate relationship gives the Stafford Museum the exclusive Smithsonian benefit of offering their visitors a Smithsonian membership for "two memberships in one."

And on Saturday, September 27, the Stafford Museum will be included in the nation-wide event, Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day Live! 2014. This special event allows free admission to any museum that is participating in program. (check out the next page for detailed information about Museum Day Live!)

"At the museum we are constantly thinking of our members and we want them to know how much they are appreciated and how grateful we are to have their support," said Brandi Rizzi, Marketing Coordinator. "And being involved in the Zoo's "Swap" and the National Smithsonian Drive and Museum Day Live! events is made possible by our members and is the reason we continue to look for ways to provide special benefits to our members."

For more information about SwapTember, Smithsonian Membership Drive, contact the Stafford Museum at 580-772-5871 or visit their website staffordmusuem.org.