Bonham -- Saturday, December 1, 2012, the Sam Rayburn House Museum staff welcomed lovers of history to the Bonham Visitor Information Center to help develop a new Interpretive Master Plan that will guide the museum for the next seven to ten years.

Professors of history from Austin College, North Texas University, and Texas A&M at Commerce, representatives from the Texas Historical Commission, staff from the University of Texas, Austin along with leaders from Bonham and Fannin County gathered to dream about future ways of presenting Mr. Sam to the public.

The group of more than thirty visionaries made suggestions for new ways to present Mr. Sam’s life at home, his love of agriculture, the love of family, his political accomplishments that improved life for rural families, and his involvement in projects that helped Fannin County.  Suggestions were given for use of electronic pads and smart phones to be carried during a tour to give additional information as a docent leads visitors through the house and grounds.  Greater use of electronic media such as Twitter, Facebook, as well as future developing blogs to make people aware of Mr. Sam and the opportunities that are available to them as they visit the Rayburn House.  Using reproduction clothes and articles used by the family for children to handle and try on was also suggested.

Working with school groups has long been a part of the Rayburn House Museum program.  This group suggested that local volunteers be assigned a school to work with in developing a program for that school and it’s teachers that will help to educate the students as well as new teachers, and administrators about the programs available and to help development new programs. 

The future looks bright for this house museum as the local staff  plan to use new tools to present and attract visitors to Bonham and the Rayburn House.  Carole Stanton, Ann Rupert, and Marion Wilson will begin the journey to make this plan a reality for the future of this Bonham attraction.