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The Kick Off for
the Annual Friends of the Museum Program
The Custer 1881 Courthouse Museum had a great year in 2009 thanks to
donors, visitors and our
volunteers. Our Friends of the Museum program has been essential in
keeping the Museum going and moving forward. As we are not an entity of
Custer County and we rely solely on our admissions and fund raising. The
Museum is a nonprofit 501 C3 organization with a small budget and has
major expenses. After 128 years the building is facing challenges, such
as soffits, gutters, windows and heat on the third floor. We grateful
for the support we have received and hope to receive support from the
community in the year to come.
Our goals are to make the Museum a greater part of the Custer community
and keep our history alive. A benefit to Custer County resident is they
receive free admissions to the Museum. Over the years, we have developed
free or low cost programs such as
the Old Time Country Fair, the Haunting in conjunction with the
Halloween Carnival and Christmas Festival. Our year round Youth
Activities program entertains while teaching our children about our
past. An exciting and rewarding new activity is the “Behind the Scenes”
program aimed at involving our young people in the Museum. These “Junior
Docents” had a great deal of fun while, at the same time, providing much
needed assistance to the Museum. They did everything from creating
displays doing computer work to dealing with patrons. This program was
as rewarding for us as we are sure it was for them.
We are asking
you, the community, for your support. It is our hope that you will find
the Friends of the Museum an excellent way to provide this support.
Friends of the Museum support exhibit, programs,
maintenance and the cost of daily operations. Your tax donation
will enable us to plan more effectively based upon available resources.
There are five levels of donations, Copper $50+, Bronze $125+, Silver
$250+, Gold $500+ and Platinum $1000+. All levels receive a subscription
to the Museum's newsletter and a free gift. They also get a discount
card for the Museum Bookstore. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.
Some donors will
give in- kind donation such as the Museum's new look at night.
Thanks to Gerald Baldwin for his generous donation of lights that
outline the front windows. The lights will be turned on all year to
highlight the building.
Jerry also donated his own labor to hang them. He will quickly point out
that Black Hills Co-op helped him with the second floor windows. Many
other donors have been helping to modernizing the Museum's office
equipment, such as computers, printers and a office copier from Baldwin
Law Office. Every bit of assistance
the Museum receive helps us keep our doors open for the community
and visitors.
Other ways people
can give to the Museum is by volunteering. During the Summer people can
volunteer to greet the visitors and operated the Bookstore. Though out
the year, people can help
with the annual events, handy man jobs, office duties, research for
grants and history projects. Volunteers can give their time weekly or
once a month. If you would like to be a part of our team please call the
Museum.
Please think about donating to assisting the
Museum to be a major part of Custer community and to maintain our rich
history. If you need further information please call Sandy at the Museum
673-2443
or e-mail at info@1881courthousemuseum.com.
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