Meet Laurie Risch: Highlands Grad Leads the Behringer-Crawford Museum

By Mary Casey-Sturk

If you’ve been to the Behringer-Crawford Museum in Devou Park, you know that it’s a treasure trove of Northern Kentucky history. From its opening in 1950 (then known as the William Behringer Memorial Museum) to the museum we know today, the museum and its staff continue to welcome visitors from the Tri-State and beyond with a series of permanent exhibitions, special exhibitions, programs, concerts, and NaturePlay@BCM. NaturePlay@BCM is a free and contained accessible green space where children (and their grown-ups) can discover, play, and engage in natural history and heritage.

Stepping inside the museum (admission charged/memberships available) visitors can explore favorites such as the model train set, a historic Kentucky streetcar, watch a movie from inside a 1959 Buick Electra convertible, view finds from local paleontologists, and say hello to their famous two-headed calf as you check-in. With hands-on experiences for kids, the museum is fun for all ages.

The museum is also home to many works by renowned Fort Thomas artist, Harlan Hubbard. The museum recently partnered with the Fort Thomas Forest Conservancy and the Harlan Hubbard Studio and Preserve for their Artist in Residency program.

Laurie Risch

Highlands High School graduate (class of 1977) and long-time Executive Director of the Behringer-Crawford BCM), Risch, spoke with Fort Thomas Living about the importance of learning local history and the Museum.

FTL: What are the “can’t miss” programs and events?

“I think all of them are “can’t miss!” States an enthusiastic Risch, “But in particular, the on-site programs, such as the weekly summer Music@BCM concerts, where it’s ‘THE place to be on Thursday nights,’ as noted by a regular patron. Each week spotlights a local band, musicians, and genre of music. There’s bluegrass, jazz, R&B, rock, folk, etc. There’s also a cash bar and a local restaurant or food truck to patronize for dinner. What’s better than sitting outside with a cool breeze blowing and listening to quality music?”

“In early fall, we celebrate local artists during our freshART event. Now in its 31^st year, artists accept the challenge to start their creations in Devou Park, en plein air, then offer them up for auction at a lively party a week later. Proceeds of the sales from the newly created “fresh” art benefit the artists and the youth in our community through the museum’s educational programs. Artists can also agree to participate in silentART, where their previously created works are also auctioned through an online platform. This program introduces the community to the amazing talent we have in our area. And we have AMAZING talent.”

Risch adds, “And of course, there’s our Holly Jolly Days when the museum is highly decorated for Christmas and the holidays including our Holiday Toy Trains. A family favorite tradition, the trains chug along while kids push buttons to activate stations on the layout. We now see multi-generations returning each year to experience the magic of the holidays at BCM.”

FTL: What is your favorite area of the museum?

“When I first started working at the museum, I fell in love with our Harlan Hubbard paintings. I think they are still my favorite. For several reasons: Bellevue born, Fort Thomas raised, and the subject matter being so much of Campbell County. He recorded our history with his brush strokes, immortalizing the landscape, farms, trains, bridges, and even some people. And his and his family story is so very interesting”. Risch continues, “We recently received a large donation of his family history including his mom’s journals. They uncover so much of his early years, before his shanty boat and Payne Hollow days. I encourage anyone who doesn’t know Harlan to read his books and books written by others about him, including Wendell Berry. I anticipate great admiration and appreciation will be found.”

FTL: Why does local history matter?

“Local history connects us to our state, national, and world history. It’s all about people and their stories, their culture. Walking or driving through neighborhoods, I would find myself curious about how streets or cities got their names, why was the bridge named after that person and who was/is that person, how did those mounds of dirt in those yards get there, and oh so much more.”

“Behringer-Crawford, representing local history hopefully feeds others as well as my curiosity as we learn more and more about this area every day. I know I feel much more connected to my family my ancestors and my community. There’s a much better understanding and a sense of belonging when you learn and care for history. A realization may occur when discovering why that father or grandfather was a bit more authoritarian with you when you know about how and where they were raised or perhaps because of the war in which they served. Or why their flag must always be flying. An understanding and appreciation may occur about our ancestors in how they settled this area, and the hardships they incurred coming by river or over land.”

Risch adds, “I’m still amazed that my Highlands PE teacher, Lois Meadows, was one of five local female teachers who fought for the passing of Title IX in 1972 which permitted girls’ and women’s sports to exist separate from boys’ and men’s sports. I would have no idea had it not been for the history of athletes and the NKY Sports Hall of Fame that we preserve at the museum. Northern Kentucky is rich with the arts, natural and cultural history just waiting to be discovered.”

FTL: What can families expect to experience on a visit?

“A fulfilling fun time in a personal setting”, Risch continues, “BCM is special as it’s often the first museum kids visit. If they have a good time here, they are more likely to continue to visit museums and eventually support their missions. Our staff are personable and approachable and will often pull things out of storage that match the families’ interests. After touring the museum, they can go to our NaturePlay@BCM area outside and play and learn more! As one child ran up to tell us, “I found a paw print!” Curiosity abounds at BCM.”

While Risch certainly keeps busy overseeing the business of running a museum, Fort Thomas Living asked her what she did in her spare time. “TRAVEL!!! Love traveling all over the US and overseas. The next trip is to South Africa with the NKY Chamber. I also love to garden and cook and be with my family.”

To learn more about the Behringer-Crawford Museum, visit www.bcmuseum.org