In September, the Branson, Missouri American Presidents Museum participated in the fourth annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. Museum Day is a day when museums and cultural institutions nationwide open their doors free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors. A celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge, Smithsonian’s Museum Day reflects the spirit of the magazine, and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC-based properties.

“It is important that our museum to participated in this event, as it again showed our community and surrounding areas that we are a museum and cultural center for them,” said Stormy Lynn Snow, executive director of the museum located in Branson, Missouri. “We have so much to offer our visitors; we are happy that many in Branson, Missouri took advantage of this free day to learn more about our collection.”

The American Presidents Museum in Branson, Missouri is the collection management division of the National Center for Presidential Studies. The museum features dozens of exhibits tied to American history, many unique displays including a partial replica of the Oval Office, and hundreds of political artifacts and memorabilia.

Attendees to the Branson, Missouri museum presented Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. The general public, including Branson, Missouri visitors, participated.

The Compton Ridge Fiddlers’ Convention has been an annual event in Branson, Missouri for many years, and many of this year’s participants have been coming for most of those years. According to several of the fiddlers, the Branson, Missouri convention has been going on since the mid-1970s.

One thing that keeps bringing these musicians back to Branson, Missouri over the years is the friendships they have with others across the country. One player said he has been playing fiddle since he was a teenager and these conventions — which happen in May and September each year — are his favorite events.

“We’ve had some good times here in Branson, Missouri and the music is heavenly,” said one attendee. “I never get tired of hearing the fiddle.”

Leroy Harris, of Purdy, who plays the guitar, has been coming to the convention in Branson, Missouri for the past 10 years. “I love this,” Harris said. “I get a chance to play beautiful music with some great fiddle players.”

Another player said the convention is also a good chance for him to spend time with his grandson, a champion fiddle player in Branson, Missouri. The grandfather-grandson pair enjoys spending time together playing music.

Organizers of the Branson, Missouri convention said they expect the event to continue to grow. “Currently, the convention consists mostly of sitting around playing music and eating good food,” said the manager. “Next year, we are looking at expanding the convention to include some contests and prizes. It’s always a fun event here in Branson, Missouri.”