Massillon Museum is pleased to announce that, for the tenth consecutive year, we have been awarded the NEA Big Read Grant! A program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the Big Read elected the Massillon Museum as one of seventy seven non-profit organizations to promote a community reading program designed around a single book, and your Museum is the only Ohio organization to receive the grant for 2017. This year's NEA Big Read program will be celebrating the literary classic True Grit by Charles Portis.

The Massillon Museum has been selected to participate annually in The Big Read since 2008, and since that time, your Museum has distributed more than 14,700 free copies of literary classics, offering dozens of free programs to enhance the reading experience. 

Click here to learn more about this year's book selection, view media guides, and listen to audio guides.

NEA Big Read 2017 Events

MassMu History Discussion Group: Favorite TV Westerns
Tuesday, March 7, 2017, 10am-12pm
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Free / Public / No reservations; Coffee and sweets available for a donation. Who were your favorite television cowboys? Bring stories and memorabilia to share.

NEA Big Read Kickoff and Book Giveaway
Saturday, March 11, 2017, 3:00-5:00pm
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Meet the NEA Big Read Partners and pick up a free copy of True Grit. Activities for all ages: Get your picture taken with a Nickajack Farms' horse, and create Western-themed crafts with Museum staff. Enjoy live music. Massillon Public Library will assist with digital book guides. Western costumes encouraged.

Westward Ho!: True Grit Themes in Costumes and Artifacts Exhibit Opening
Saturday, March 11, 2017, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Academy Award Nominee Mary Zophres’ costumes from the Coen Brothers’ 2010 Paramount Pictures film True Grit, along with Western American Indian artifacts from the Museum's collection, will be on view through May 14, 2017.

Wild (Mid)West Exhibit Opening
Saturday, March 11, 2017, 3:00-5:00pm
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E. Massillon, OH 44646
Located in the lower level of the Massillon Museum, this exhibit will be a picture timeline of nineteenth-century downtown Massillon. On view through summer 2017.

Active Transportation Encouragement
March 11-April 26, 2017
Massillon Big Read Events
Ride your bike to any Massillon Big Read event, such as the Kickoff, Keynote Address, or a book discussion, and enter a raffle to win a prize.  This incentive is a collaboration between the Massillon Museum NEA Big Read, Live Well Stark County, Creating Healthy Communities, Your Move Ohio, Stark Parks, and Ernie's Bike Shop to provide incentives for active transportation to the Big Read events.

Book Discussion
Monday, March 13, 2017, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Karma Café, 4339 Dressler Rd NW, Canton 44718
Enjoy a discussion of True Grit! Beverages, soups, sandwiches and more will be available for purchase.

A Taste of the Wild West: Book Discussion and Food Tasting
Wednesday, March 15, 2017, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Massillon Public Library, 208 Lincoln Way E., Massillon 44646
Discuss True Grit while sampling some traditional cowboy and western dishes. Registration required for this free event. Call 330-832-9831 ext. 312.

“Revenge: Vengeance Through Art” Exhibit
March 17 – April 13, 2017, ongoing display, available during open library hours
Walsh University Br. Edmond Drouin Library, Farrell Hall, 2020 East Maple St., North Canton 44720
 The Walsh University Library will display prints of classical through contemporary artwork that focuses on the themes of revenge and vengeance, whether the art depicts an act of revenge or the art itself is an act of revenge.  The display will include an interactive component. Exhibit ends at 2:00 p.m. on April 13, 2017.

True Grit Film Festival
Saturday, March 18, 2017, 11:00 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
Massillon Public Library, 208 Lincoln Way E., Massillon 44646
Watch the original 1969 film True Grit starring John Wayne at 11 a.m., followed by the 2010 version with Jeff Bridges at 1:00 p.m. Rated PG-13. Free Refreshments!

Western-Inspired Candle Workshop with Dawn Groves
Sunday, March 19, 2017, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Celebrate the book True Grit with the scents of the West. Learn to make candles with aromas like coffee and campfire smoke. Adults and grades 9 and up. $23 ($20 MassMu member). Call 330-833-4061 to register by March 12.

Wild West Terrariums (1-day Workshop with Manda’s Plant Farm)
Saturday, March 25, 2017, 2:00-3:00pm
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Take the Wild West home with you. Make a desert terrarium of succulents to enjoy year-round. Adults and Grades 9 and up. $30 ($27 MassMu Member). Call 330-833-4061 to register by March 18.

Book Discussion
Sunday, March 26, 2017, 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Blue Heron Café, 125 Lake Ave NW, Massillon, OH 44647
Enjoy a discussion of True Grit! Beverages, soups, sandwiches and more will be available for purchase.

"A Bone to Pick: Cowboys and Cowgirls getting even -- Justice or Vengeance?": A Discussion and Viewing of the Moral Messages in Classic Film Portrayals
Monday, March 27, 2016, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Walsh University, Barrette Business and Community Center, Conference Room C, 2020 East Maple St., North Canton 44720
A lecture by Walsh University provost Dr. Larry Bove on the novel True Grit which looks at the question "Is revenge cowboy justice?"

"Roughing It with Mark Twain: True Grit and the True West”
MassMu Brown Bag Lunch Lecture with Mark Dawidziak
Tuesday, March 28, 2017, 12:10-12:50pm
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Mark Dawidziak—author, actor, Plain Dealer TV critic, KSU professor—will present "Roughing It with Mark Twain: True Grit and the True West." Complimentary cookie and coffee. Free / Public / No reservations (seats fill early).

Tracks and Trails  
Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, OH 44689
Learn how to read the signs left by wild animals – from tracks to browse to scat! Then, go out on the trail to learn about the animals of the forest and to discover what they have been doing.

Do the Mu: Handmade Books with Gary Spangler
Saturday, April 1, 2017, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Celebrate the NEA Big Read by creating handmade books. Use as a notepad, journal, or the beginning of your own novel! No registration required; free for all ages.

First Monday Book Discussion
Monday, April 3, 2017, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
North Canton Public Library, 185 North Main St., North Canton, OH 44720
The Book Group, First Monday Book Club, will discuss True Grit by Charles Portis.

True Grit and the Music and Poetry of the Old West (Book Discussion)
Monday, April 3, 2017, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Kozmo’s Grille, 37 First St. SW, Massillon, OH 44646
This is a discussion of the old west as portrayed by True Grit. Cowboy poetry and Western song lyrics will be the major tools used to demonstrate the world seen in True Grit.

Keynote Address Pre-Reception
Thursday, April 6, 2017, 5:00-6:30pm
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Stop by the Massillon Museum to see the Westward Ho!: True Grit Themes in Costumes and Artifacts exhibit with Academy Award Nominee Mary Zophres' costumes from the Coen Brothers' 2010 Paramount Pictures film True Grit; then head over to the Lincoln Theatre for the Keynote Address.

Keynote Address and Q&A: Costume Historian Bobi Garland
Thursday, April 6, 2017, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre, 156 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Costume historian Bobi Garland believes that how we dress is a powerful language that communicates who we are as individuals and as a people. Her unique point of view drew Academy Award winning costume designers to consult with her at the world famous Western Costume Company’s treasured Costume Archive and Research Library. Come hear Garland discuss her work with costume designer Mary Zophres on the 2010 True Grit film project.

Wild West Whistles and Wheels
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Massillon Public Library, 208 Lincoln Way E., Massillon, OH 44646
At this free open house for the whole family, view the Massillon Railroad Club's model trains, create a western-themed craft, sample some cowboy chow, and listen to our storyteller.

Historic Downtown Massillon Walking Tour
Sunday, April 9, 2017, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Downtown Massillon (Meet at Massillon Museum), 121 Lincoln Way East, Massillon 44646
A leisurely tour to learn what Massillon was like in the late 1800s, when the NEA Big Read Book, True Grit, was set. The tour will feature buildings, businesses, transportation, historic events, and the people who were prominent during that time period. The walk, $7 a person, will be cancelled in inclement weather; no reservations are required.

True Grit: A Literary Analysis (Book Discussion)
Monday, April 10, 2017, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Kozmo’s Grille, 37 First St. SW, Massillon 44646
We will take a look at the novel True Grit with an eye toward discovering what "true grit" really is as shown in the work.

From Book to Big Screen – True Grit (2010)  
Mondays, April 10, 2017 and April 17, 2017, 11:00 a.m-1:00 p.m.
Perry Sippo Branch Library, 5710 12th St. NW, Canton 44718
Bring a lunch to watch the 2010 version of True Grit, then join us the following Monday to discuss the book and movie adaption.

Book Discussion
Thursday, April 13, 2017, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Kent State University at Stark, Conference Room #1 in Main Hall, 6000 Frank Ave NW, North Canton 44720

Nickajack Farms Horse Fun Day
Saturday, April 15, 2017, 3:00-6:00pm
Nickajack Farms 2773 Manchester Ave. NW North Lawrence, Ohio 44666
Join us for an afternoon of riding, games, trivia, crafts, learning and more! Ages 5 and up. $40 per person. To register, visit www.nickajackfarms.com/funday or call 330-323-9714.

One-Act Play Performance   
Wednesday, April 19, 2017, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Washington High School, 1 Paul Brown Dr. SE, Massillon 44646
Directed by Sr. Level students of the WHS Drama Program, the world premier performance of the One-Act plays are professionally written interpretations based on the themes of the book True Grit. Poems will be presented by Massillon Public Library poetry contest winners.

The Essence of Revenge: Exploration through Art
Thursday, April 20, 2017, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
North Canton Public Library, 185 North Main St., North Canton 44720
Come explore the significance of revenge, a key component in the novel, True Grit, through art exploration with Pam Neff.

Fundamentals of Reading Braille with Erin Byrne
Saturdays, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
This class connects the Big Read promotion of literacy with the Massillon Museum's exhibit, "Blind Spot: A Matter of Perception." The class—sponsored by the Philomatheon Society of the Blind—is free, but pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Open to all. Call 330-833-4061 to register by April 16.

NEA Big Read Campfire
Sunday, April 23, 2017, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Quail Hollow Park, 13480 Congress Lake Ave., Hartville 44632
In the spirit of True Grit, Stark Parks will host a campfire where you can step back in time and enjoy snacks and traditional music around the fire! This will be located by the firepit behind the nature center of Quail Hollow Park. Bring a chair with you to the event. In case of rain, the event will be moved indoors. Register by April 23 at https://reservations.starkparks.com/programs/.

Self-Publishing Workshop with JoAnn Shade
Sunday, April 23, 2017, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Do you ever dream of holding your own book in your hands? Author JoAnn Shade will walk you through the process of creating your own book through internet-based print-on-demand opportunities. This instructional session will review self-publishing options, manuscript preparation, cover design, uploading to self-publishing websites, and the development of a simple marketing plan. Ages 18 and up. $18 ($15 MassMu Member). Call 330-833-4061 to register by April 18.

"Katharine Hepburn: On Leaning Against a Great Tree"
MassMu Brown Bag Lunch Lecture with Jean Druesedow
Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 12:10-12:50pm
Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way E, Massillon, OH 44646
Jean Druesedow, Director of the Kent State University Museum, will present "Katharine Hepburn: On Leaning Against a Great Tree." Complimentary cookie and coffee. Free / Public / No reservations (seats fill early).

Poetry Read-In
Tuesday, April 25, 2017, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Massillon Public Library, 208 Lincoln Way E., Massillon 44646
Read or recite your favorite poem, or just sit back and listen to other members of the public as well as some cowboy poetry. Free refreshments.

Previous Massillon Museum The Big Read Selections:

2016: In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

2015: Old School by Tobias Wolff

2014: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

2013: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

2012: The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

2011: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

2010: The Shawl by Cynthia Ozick

2009: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

2008: The Call of the Wild by Jack London

To learn more about the NEA The Big Read, click here.