Robidoux Row launching event series to attract more visitors

By Chris Fortune

As warmer weather arrives, museums tend to see more foot traffic, with schools closing and families going on vacation, but Robidoux Row Museum is looking to kick it up a notch.

Robidoux Row begins to see more people, especially out-of-town visitors, in May, but the museum is looking to capture the attention of more local residents. A couple from Des Moines, Iowa, came to visit a couple of St. Joseph’s museums but ended up stopping at four, including Robidoux Row.

“I’ve always been a history person, but I’m more visual,” Tim Bantz said. “I like to see things from the past, like antiques and things that they actually used.”

Bantz said St. Joseph residents are missing out if they are not visiting at least one of the local museums.

“A lot of history in town, a lot of the architecture in town, the older houses and things,” he said.

While out-of-town visitors are always welcome, Robidoux Row’s Executive Director, Jeff McMillian, is also working to capture the attention of local residents this summer through an event series called First Thursdays.

“I’ve gotten tired of watching all the people have parties and events in our beautiful event center downstairs,” McMillian said. “It’s time for us to have some parties.”

The initial First Thursday event will take place on June 6, and it will feature live music in the courtyard plus food and beverage trucks.

“We’re hoping to draw in more younger people as well to this gorgeous property to get to know Robidoux Row and all of the things in the museum here,” McMillian said.

By drawing in younger visitors, McMillian hopes to secure the legacy of the museum for future generations.

“When you don’t hold on to those little pieces of history, it’s easy down the road to forget that it even happened and then not know who we are and where we came from,” he said.

Future First Thursday events will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 1 and Sept. 5.