Thanks Dan Henry. You couldn’t have stated the importance of the Haines Sheldon Museum more beautifully. It contains the very essence and fabric of our community; provides the opportunity for all residents to learn about our heritage; remembers our elders who shaped our valley; and showcases who we are to visitors from afar.
The museum owns the collection, but a museum’s collection is a public trust (Loans and museum held clan property an exception). As such, the community needs to take part in its preservation. The Board of Trustees understands and is taking this very seriously. They realize that divesting the museum of the Haines Borough would be its ultimate death knell.
There seems to be much misinformation circulating around the community. Folks are rightfully concerned. I’m not a board member, but, having been staff for 21 of its formative years including 11 years as the director/curator, the board has reached out to me for background information. They are reaching out to other stakeholders. They have stepped up to the plate making sure the museum continues operating during this restructuring time.
Knowing there will be lean years ahead, they are working with the Foraker Group and museum professionals to develop more financially efficient options for Museum operations – which include fundraising and grants, both of which augment a museum’s nuts and bolts budget. They plan to develop options and, with the borough assembly, determine the best plan to sustain the museum far into the future.
Cynthia Jones (CJ)