Museum Future Topic for Special Meeting

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009 @ 7 pm
Lakewood City Hall Council Chambers

Becky Huber, president of the society, said the board of directors has scheduled the meeting to allow members to learn more about the financial status of the museum and society and offer their own ideas on how to progress in the future.

Formed about 10 years ago, the Lakewood Historical Society has grown to more than 250 individual and business members and has operated a storefront museum in the Lakewood Colonial Center since 2006. With the current space lease up for renewal and Lakewood Motel and Hotel Tax contributions to the society cut this year, decisions must be made on how to progress, according to Huber.

“The museum has been an asset for the community and attendance has been increasing slowly,” she explained. Costs have been reduced to the bare minimum but at least $25,000 is needed to cover space rent for a year. A fund-raising campaign has brought in around $10,000, according to Treasurer Gary Fowler.

The Society is also negotiating with Clover Park Technical College for use of the historical Mueller-Harkins Hangar building on the college campus for a permanent museum. BCRA Architects is working with the society and college on a plan for the conversion of the building into a museum.

"There’s a lot up in the air,” the society president said. “We want to see the museum stay open but we need to have the financing in place before we make the final decision on the lease, I hope this special meeting will result in positive ideas.”

The meeting is open to the public.