“We need to engage the community and show them what we can have with this next step,” she said. “What do they want for their families, for themselves? It’s about lifelong learning.”

It’s also about economic development, and encouraging a thriving arts culture downtown, and to that end, Herzog said Iredell Museums’ success and growth can benefit the surrounding community.

“When you have a strong cultural community, those are things that attract people to say, ‘I’m investing here,’ she said. “We’re going to get people excited and build the things they want to make life richer for their family and their community.”

Read the full article, as originally published by The Stateville Record & Landmark.