The international event, sponsored by the Museum Store Association, will take place Sunday, Dec. 1, in 1,400 museum stores representing all 50 states, 18 countries and five continents.
Susan Tudor, president of the Museum Store Association, says consumers should consider shopping in museum stores this holiday season because our cultural institutions need our support. “All museum store revenues help defray operating and program expenses of that institution,” she explains. “In addition, your purchases help spread the word that museum stores are important with their curated products and unique shopping experiences.”
We’ve put together a sampling of what’s available locally. Keep in mind that even if the museum charges admission, guests are usually welcome to stop at the shop without paying a fee.
The Carillon Historical Park Museum Store specializes in products that commemorate Dayton's history. They offer a vast range of exclusive items like handmade candles by the park's historical interpreters to unique merchandise offered at the 1930s print shop.
During the holiday season, the museum store sells historical toys, ornaments, and home décor. Additionally, they also have a vast collection of friction toys and building kits, limited edition art prints, magnets and postcards.
The store has a new feature this year, a special Christmas Shoppe with holiday themed items to decorate your home or make a great gift.
The shop, located at 1000 Carillon Blvd., is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Parking is free. Phone: 937-293-2841. Special extended hours for “A Carillon Christmas through Dec. 30. For wrapping, the shop offers tissue paper and printed paper bags with ribbons.
The Museum Store at the Dayton Art Institute carries items related to the permanent collection and special exhibitions. "We have something for everyone — from a DAI magnet for $3.95 to a $6,000 Dale Chihuly Studio Edition piece of glass," said Diane Haskell, Museum Store manager.
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And specifically, on Museum Store Sunday, shoppers can enjoy 20 percent off ties, scarves and DAI mugs and T-shirts. For those who don’t want to venture outside of the house that day, customers who spend over $25 on their online store receive free shipping until Dec. 2.
Gift ideas: Unique Tallulah necklace; Baltic amber jewelry; Good Fortune tea strainer; Couples in Art print collection.
The shop is located in the museum at 456 Belmonte Park Drive, North. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Extended hours on Thursdays until 8 p.m. There's an online store at daytonartinstitute.org/shopdai. Phone: (937) 223-4278. Parking is free. Gift wrapping available.
Aullwood Audubon Nature Store & Gift Shop sells everything from bird feeders, houses and birding reference guides to high-quality toys that encourage active play and imagination, beautiful books for all ages, nature-inspired puzzles and games, personal care items made from natural ingredients, home décor, quality tools for gardeners.
“The Aullwood Audubon Nature Store & Gift Shop will be open extended hours Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.,” says Dalynn Sours, the Nature Store Manager. The first 25 guests will receive a door prize and we will be raffling off three beautiful gift baskets — one for her, one for him and one for kids. Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate and cookies will be served.”
Gift ideas: Sterling free trade jewelry; nature-inspired pottery; beard oil and goats milk shave soap; Aullwood Prairie Honey and Apple Butter; homemade jam from Hawthorne Homestead.
The shop is located at 1000 Aullwood Road and is open from 9 a,m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays. Phone (937) 890-7360.
The Museum Store at the National Museum of the United States Air Force is well-known for its wide range of aviation and military-related gifts, many of which are exclusive. "Our store is known by many aviation enthusiasts for its excellent collection of books and beautiful hand-carved display models," says Melinda Lawrence, Chief of Museum Store Operations at the Air Force Museum Foundation, which operates the store. "We also have a large selection of gifts for all ages — from aviation to space to STEM learning. " The store also stocks apparel, drink-ware, jewelry and toys.
Gift ideas: Dare to Be Great Autographed 3 Panel Print 2007 featuring rare Wright Brothers prints; Aircraft Catalog with specifications and history of hundreds of planes found at the museum; freeze-dried Astronaut Ice Cream; Warrior Dogs T-shirt.
The store, located at 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Gift wrap is provided. The store’s website is store.airforcemuseum.com. Phone: (937)-656-9286. Parking is free.
The National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center museum store offers art, jewelry, books and other products reflecting the diverse cultural experiences of African-Americans.
There will be a Breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon with advance reservations on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the museum. For more information, call (800) 752-2603 or visit ohiohistory.org/naamcc. The museum is located at 1350 Brush Row Road, Wilberforce. Parking is free.
The Discoveries Gift Shop at the Boonshoft Museum carries a wide range of items from plush animals to dinosaur- and space-themed toys. "We offer branded T-shirts and mugs, many different science kits, and a variety of items for those interested in natural history, including books and rock and mineral specimens," says Angela Shaffer, gift shop manager.
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Gift ideas: Astronaut ice cream in a variety of flavors; metal detector robot; realistic plush otters, meerkats and sloths.
The Discoveries Gift Shop, 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton, is open during regular museum hours: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Website: boonshoftmuseum.org. Parking is free. The museum store will be closed on the following Monday and Tuesday (Dec. 2 and 3) for inventory.