It’s hard to talk about museums these days without discussing the economic pains they face. With a recession and a county government hard-pressed to provide more funding, the Island County Historical Museum is seeking alternative ways to earn money.
“I wish I could tell you how poor the museum is,” said Jackie Feusier, board of trustees member. “If we had a uniform it would be a barrel.”
Although several grants are written for museum projects, few provide money for operation costs. The Island County Historical Museum, located in Coupeville, mostly relies on the county, town and tourists to keep their doors open.
A few times a year, they hold a fundraiser.
“Every fundraiser we’ve had hasn’t put us ahead of the game but it’s gotten us caught up,” Feusier said.
The next big event is the Island County Historical Museum 60th birthday and auction Saturday, July 25, in which all proceeds will help continue the museum’s daily operations.
It will be held on the Coupeville Community Green on Alexander Street.
A local antiques buff, Matt Iverson, made one of the more unique donations for auction. He gave the only player piano used in the only Coupeville movie house back in the 1930’s. It was used as a “soundtrack” to accompany silent films.
The piano also played a major role in the early Native American Water Festivals.
“It was pushed out of the Showhouse on Saturday evening and rolled up and down the two-block long main street to provide music for the evening’s entertainment,” Joanne Engle Brown, a former owner of the item, wrote in “The Piano.”
About 20 nonprofits will be joining the museum on the Coupeville Green and vendors from the Coupeville Farmers Market are offering hot food. There will also be a Kids’ Tent with face painting, crafts, games and pioneer costume contest with prizes for winners.
Throughout the day, people can stop into the museum to see what they are helping to support.
“This is history central, if you will, for all of Island County,” Feusier said. “We hope to be able to continue to preserve that history.”
The museum will sell memberships, memorial bricks, gift shop items, hotdogs and virtual candles and matches. The candles will go on a virtual birthday cake (made of index paper), with the names of people who have contributed. It will be displayed in the museum for the year.
Although funding sources are drying up, the museum continues to operate seven days a week.
“We used to be a non-working board of trustees, but now we are out there trying to earn money,” Feusier said.
Next Saturday’s event will begin at 1 p.m., with registration for the auction at 1:30 p.m. The live auction, conducted by auctioneer Dale Sherman will run from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Clean out your attics
The Island County Historical Museum is looking for donations for the auction. They will accept donations from July 1 to July 25. If the donations are too large, people can call the museum at 678-3310 for pick-up. The donations should have a value of at least $40. The staff is looking for unique, unusual and fun items. If not an item, considering offering a service or experience for the auction. Cash donations will also be accepted. The donation is tax deductible and people will receive a receipt and heartfelt thanks after the auction.
