Looking Back with Gratitude, Looking Ahead with Purpose: A Letter from Tabitha Schmidt, CEO

The Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, Science & History 

As we close the door on 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year that will forever stand as one of the most meaningful in our Museum’s history. This was a year of celebration, bold vision, and profound momentum — a year that honored where we’ve been while powerfully shaping where we are headed. 

In 2025, we officially embraced our new identity as The Brown — The Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, Science & History. This rebrand represents far more than a new name; it honors the extraordinary legacy and generosity of Cici and Hyatt Brown while affirming our role as a leader in art, science, and history in Volusia County and beyond.

Photography by: Lunar Studio

That spirit of transformation was made unmistakably clear with the announcement of the Browns’ historic $150 million transformational gift — the largest in our Museum’s history — followed just recently by an additional $53 million commitment reaffirming their extraordinary belief in this institution. Together, these gifts form the foundation for a visionary new building and campus expansion that will redefine what a museum can be — not only for our region, but as a cultural icon for Central Florida and beyond. They are acts of leadership and generosity that will impact generations. 

At the same time, the future of The Brown has always been — and will continue to be — a community-built effort. These landmark gifts allow us to dream boldly, but they do not stand alone. Continued philanthropic support from our community remains essential to bring the full vision of the Crown Jewel Campaign to life, to sustain the programs and educational experiences that serve our region today, and to ensure that the Museum remains accessible, dynamic, and resilient through this period of transformation. Now more than ever, membership and annual support are vital investments in the work happening every day — and in the future we are building together.

Throughout the year, our galleries and grounds were alive with discovery and imagination. We welcomed families face-to-face with prehistory through Expedition: Dinosaur, watched young minds light up during Sloth Fest as we celebrated the 50-year discovery of the giant ground sloth, and explored science through art with BUGS: Outside the Box and the wildly creative Shoosty Bugs: An Art Infestation. Our art exhibitions, including It’s a Ship Show: Florida’s Maritime Canvas, reminded us that storytelling and history are deeply intertwined.

We also experienced moments of reflection and gratitude. In August, we said goodbye to the beloved Charles & Linda Williams Children’s Museum, a space that shaped countless childhood memories. Its closing marked not an ending, but a promise — that what comes next will build on its legacy in exciting new ways. 

Community remained at the heart of everything we did. Our Night Sky Festival, presented in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, brought the cosmos within reach, while Sensory Sundays ensured that our Museum remained welcoming and inclusive for neurodiverse visitors and families. Later in the year, we experienced a profound moment of reflection as we mourned the loss of Lowell Lohman, whose generosity and vision helped shape some of the Museum’s most awe-inspiring experiences. Throughout the year, the Lowell & Nancy Lohman Family Planetarium continued to inspire wonder — a living tribute to his belief in curiosity, discovery, and the power of looking beyond ourselves.

"Adventure in life begins with learning". - Lowell Lohman

One of the most memorable evenings of 2025 was Passport, our signature fundraising gala. Because of the generosity of our supporters, Passport was not only a beautiful celebration — it was a powerful statement of belief in this Museum and the future we are building together. The success of that night directly fuels our mission and the work ahead. 

Photography by: Lunar Studio

Looking Ahead to 2026: A Museum in Motion 

On March 29, 2026, our buildings will close to the public as we work to break ground on our new future home. While our physical doors may temporarily close, the Museum itself will be more active than ever.

Through Framing the Future, we are ensuring that The Brown remains deeply connected to our community. In 2026, you will continue to see us through:

• Museum in Motion, bringing hands-on learning directly to schools and community events 

• Summer Learning Institute in partnership with Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, we will continue to provide integrated learning experiences for our students 

• Lohman Field Study programs, keeping STEAM education vibrant and accessible 

• Member-only events and exclusive experiences with community partners 

• Special planetarium events and ticketed shows, continuing to bring the universe within reach 

• Our Framing the Future newsletter, offering insider updates, behind-the-scenes progress, and stories from the partners who make this journey possible

We are also thrilled to officially launch the Nova Society in 2026 — a new philanthropic circle for those who believe deeply in the power of museums and want to be part of shaping what comes next. Nova Society members will enjoy insider access, meaningful connection, and one-of-a-kind experiences tied directly to our future campus.

One of the signature events of the year will be Bourbon & Blueprints, an immersive evening that brings supporters together to toast the vision, explore the architectural plans, and experience firsthand how philanthropy and creativity intersect at The Brown. It is exactly the kind of gathering that reflects who we are becoming. For more information, visit https://onecau.se/_em9vx1 

Click Here - Bourbon & Blueprints Event

None of this — not our history, our present, or our future — happens without you. Museums are not static places; they are living institutions that reflect the curiosity, generosity, and pride of their communities. Because of your support, The Brown is not pausing — it is accelerating.

On behalf of our Board of Trustees, our staff, our volunteers and the countless visitors whose lives you help shape, thank you for believing in this Museum. We cannot wait to welcome you into the next chapter. 

With gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead, 

Tabitha Schmidt 

Chief Executive Officer  The Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, Science & History