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VISIT THE CARLOS MUSEUM & SEE HISTORY BROGHT TO LIFE

By Amanda S., Suwanee Mom & MacKid Contributing Writer July 17, 2016

The Michael C.Carlos Museum has been on my "things to do with the kids" list since last year when I saw it in the DNJC Macaroni Kid newsletter.  I'm very happy to say that I can cross it off our list! It was fantastic and I'm excited to share a little insider museum information with you.  

Insider Tip #1:
Did you know that you can actually book a tour with one of the many knowledgeable docents for free?  We were lucky to learn this when one of our neighbors met our docent, Vicky Shecter, at Barnes and Noble, where she was hosting a book signing.  Our neighbor then passed along Vicky's email to me, and I'm happy to say with Vicky's permission, I can do the same for you!  

You can contact Vicky directly at valvearshecter@gmail.com, to set up a tour time.  You can also set up a Carlos Museum tour by contacting the museum's education department.  If you prefer going through the museum, you should contact: Alison Vuley, Manager of Education Programs at 404-727-4280 or avuley@emory.edu.

My 10-year-old daughter and I were really excited about our scheduled tour with Vicky and she did not disappoint.  If you have a Percy Jackson or Red Pyramid book series fan in your house, Vicky is your guide!  Having authored several books on mythology for teens and young adult historical novels, Vicky is an expert in these subjects, and it shows!   On our tour, Vicky focused on the Egyptian Galleries (for the Red Pyramid) and the Greek Galleries (for the Percy Jackson series).  She tied the books that my daughter has read into what we were viewing before us, making the museum come to life.  She was so engaging that we even had other visitors listening in on our tour, to which Vicky also invited them to join us.  I believe that happens a lot!  When you go, ask how the museum was founded...it's a pretty interesting and funny story!   

In addition to the Egyptian and Greek exhibits, the museum also has some 17,000 artifacts from the Near East, Rome, the Americas, Asia, and Africa, as well as works on paper from the Renaissance to the present day.    
Insider Tip #2:
After we finished our guided tour with Vicky, we took a lunch intermission at the Emory college cafeteria.  Only a 5-minute walk through the tree-lined campus, it has your typical offerings such as salad bar, pizza, sandwiches, soup and hot pastas. We both found something accommodating and shared a delicious dessert. You could even easily pack a picnic for the grassy areas out front or use the picnic tables by the cafeteria.
Returning to the museum, we finished up the other exhibits, including works of Tibetan Buddhist art on the third floor. Their intricate mandala sand art is astounding and not to be missed! I
n conclusion, the Carlos Museum is a great way to keep the kids learning this summer and not even realize it!!  My daughter asked questions, viewed world history, and made connections to the books she had read.  We both can highly recommend it and are looking forward to going again!  

Insider Tip #3: 
Get FREE admission every Friday through August 13, 2021!



Insider Tip #4:
You may be able to find Vicky's books at your local library, we did!  It was fun to check them out to read before our tour.  
Vicky Alvear Shecter, Author:
  • Thor Speaks! A Guide to the Norse Realms (September 2015) "Genial guide with...a jolly...comically Wagnerian tone." Kirkus
  • Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii (2014)  "tragic climax [with] bitterly ironic twist" Publisher's Weekly
  • Cleopatra's Moon (2011)  "magical...impressive"  LA Times