Newsletter

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0448dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Welcome"><U><B>Click here to return to Links Page</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="079ac800.jpg" border=0 width="172" height="128" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Palmer Museum of History and Art</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>723 South Valley Way</B></div> <div> <B>Palmer, AK</B></div> <div> <B>99645</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>(907) 746-7668</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:museum@mtaonline.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:museum@mtaonline.net"><U><B>museum@</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:museum@mtaonline.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:museum@mtaonline.net"><U><B>mtaonline.net</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0458dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="0b3904b0.jpg" border=0 width="400" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0458dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I>Newsletter</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>PMHA News</B><B>, the museum's newsletter, is available for download in </B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.palmermuseum.org/PDF%20files/Newsletters.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.palmermuseum.org/PDF%20files/"><U><B>PDF format</B></U></A><B> and in </B><A HREF="http://www.palmermuseum.org/Newsletters2.doc" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.palmermuseum.org/Newsletters2"><U><B>Word</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> (If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader or Microsoft Word on your system, </div> <div> you can download them from the bottom of this page)</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>September 4, 2006</B></div> <div> <B>Volume 1, Issue 1</B></div> <bR> <div> <I>An Invitation: Next Steps</I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="666" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 284 WIDTH="329"><div> On September 13<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT>, Wednesday, the Palmer Depot will once again serve the community as the place to be. Any of you with an interest in </div> <div> the Palmer Museum of History and Art and its future will have a chance to share your ideas.</div> <div> The Museum Board has elected to invite individuals and organizations to a visioning exercise facilitated by Chris Beck.</div> <bR> <div> The exercise will have both day and evening times, to better serve the busy community members. The first meeting will start at noon and run until 2.  The repeat evening session </div> <div> will run from 6:30 to 9 PM. </div> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="326"><div> Here are some ways you can help:</div> <div> • Tell us how you'd like to see the museum change.</div> <div> • Suggest additions to our collection.</div> <div> • Pick a site for museum expansion.</div> <div> Simply, we have been hearing that the community likes what has been done to improve the collection this year.</div> <bR> <div> We'd like to continue those improvements by having you dream along with us. We also are realistic enough to know that having a vision is helpful but will take hard work by many people.</div> <div> We hope to see you at the depot<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>.</I></FONT></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <I>Matanuska Cultural & Historical Project Dissolves</I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="662" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 661 WIDTH="329"><div> The dissolution of the Matanuska Cultural & Historical Project (MCHP) is expected to be complete in the weeks ahead. As one of the board members who saw it rise and fall, it's </div> <div> a little sad to see it go.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> Galvanized by the state's foreclosure of the </div> <div> Mat Maid building and property in the summer </div> <div> of 2004, the organizations primary efforts </div> <div> were directed toward its preservation. An 11<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> hour attempt to convince various state </div> <div> agencies to intervene and save it for public </div> <div> use was unsuccessful. It was sold at auction</div> <div> “on the courthouse steps” to a single bidder </div> <div> for approximately $80,000. The new owner, </div> <div> Bill Ingaldson, is an attorney in Anchorage. </div> <div> He's had an interest in historic properties for some time. He has invested a considerable amount of money, $50,000 at last count, in securing the property from vandals and the elements. Members of our board have had initial and ongoing contact with Mr.Ingaldson. He's been receptive to the possibility of some sort of public use of the space, but these have been preliminary discussions, and obviously much would need to be worked out.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> Following the private sale of the Mat Maid property, the Matanuska Cultural & Historic Project lost some of its momentum. We </div> <div> regret we didn't do more. In hindsight, it's </div> <div> clear the organization did raise awareness of the need for preservation of our historic </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="322"><div> buildings and for public art and history space. </div> <div> For those of you who became members of the MCHP, your membership has been transferred to the new Palmer Museum of History & Art. Please accept our apologies for our relative lack of communication. Be reassured that your donations and membership money remain secure.</div> <bR> <div> With the inception of the Palmer Museum of History & Art, an opportunity arose to join forces with this organization. Recognizing many overlapping goals, members of the Matanuska Cultural & Historical Project board have chosen to dissolve the organization. Over $1,700 dollars in membership and donation money has been transferred to the PMHA and is held as a reserve asset. Two or three of the original MCHP members have played key roles in the development of the Palmer Museum of History and Art and now serve on its board. It's likely the Palmer Museum of History & Art will be a “bigger tent” with the capacity to attract a larger amount of support for history, art and cultural activities in the Valley. </div> <bR> <div> The time is ripe for exciting developments. Stay posted!</div> <div>  </div> <div> <I>By David Holladay</I></div> <div> <I>Former MCHP board member</I></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>So many projects, so little time</I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="661" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 208 WIDTH="329"><div> <B>Exhibit Upgrade Project:</B> Before tourist season we began the following projects: upgrading and reorganizing the exhibit </div> <div> galleries, remodeling, incorporating historic photos, and improving interpretive labels.  </div> <bR> <div> We plan to continue these projects through </div> <div> the winter for a whole `new look' in the</div> <div> museum.  This project is currently being </div> <div> funded by community sponsors, with the assistance of dedicated volunteers. </div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="321"><div> <B>Temporary Exhibits: </B>This summer the </div> <div> Valley Fine Arts Association has coordinated a special art exhibit with monthly rotations.  It has been a wonderful opportunity for local artists to display and promote their work to </div> <div> our local and tourist populations.  </div> <bR> <div> Thank you to DeLena Johnson for donating </div> <div> the exhibit panels for the "Island of Art" in our downstairs gallery.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>A</I><I> </I><I>“New” Museum connecting our history</I></div> <div> <I>From the curator's desk</I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="663" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 509 WIDTH="330"><div> The Palmer Museum of History and Art </div> <div> (PMHA) entered into contract with the City </div> <div> of Palmer in mid March to oversee and care</div> <div>  for the City's historical collections housed at </div> <div> the Palmer Visitor Information Center.  The Palmer City Council approved a work plan </div> <div> and provided funding for staff and start up expenses.  It is an honor to be entrusted </div> <div> with the custodianship of Palmer's rich and varied historical artifacts and art. </div> <bR> <div> Setting up office space, office management, </div> <div> and museum operations, while upgrading exhibits has been arduous during this busy tourist season.  We have been burning the midnight oil.  Laying solid ground for a sustainable museum has been our highest priority and goal for this, our "start-up" year.  </div> <bR> <div> To assure responsible collections </div> <div> management, our PMHA Collections Policy </div> <div> and Code of Ethics Policy were developed </div> <div> in accordance with standard museum </div> <div> practices accepted by the American </div> <div> Association of Museums (AAM)</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="322"><div> assure professional personnel management, </div> <div> a PMHA Personnel Policy with job descriptions has been set in place for museum staff consisting of a museum curator, a museum assistant, and interpretive staff. </div> <bR> <div> The PMHA is temporarily sharing space </div> <div> with the Palmer Chamber of Commerce and the Palmer Visitor Information Center.  With clearly defined space and duties, we merged together in the spirit of teamwork while focusing on increasing and enhancing visitor and community services.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> The first season has been one of adjustment and adaptation, marrying together missions, talents, and staff, resulting in a stronger, more expansive operation.  </div> <bR> <div> Community collaboration is essential to guarantee long term stability. Community ownership is at the very heart of this museum.  With hearts and hands joined together our vision can become reality.</div> <bR> <div> <I>By Geri McCann, PMHA Curator</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Money Talk</I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="660" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 361 WIDTH="329"><div> A <B> 2006 Alaska State Museum </B></div> <div> <B>Grant-In-Aid for $7,100 was awarded</B> to improve conservation of collections. This </div> <div> grant provides funding to purchase environmental control equipment and conservation materials.</div> <bR> <div> Two existing grants were transferred from </div> <div> the City of Palmer to the PMHA:The 2004<B> Grant-In-Aid through the Alaska State Museum for $3,000 </B>provides funding for<B> </B></div> <div> the CMAP (Collections Management Assessment Program).<B>  </B></div> <bR> <div> The American Association of Museums provides this program as a tool to upgrade collections management.</div> <bR> <div> <B> </B></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="320"><div> The 2005 <B>Grant-In-Aid through the Alaska State Museum for $9,825 </B> for the Registration Project Phase II.<B> </B> This grant funds the completion of the registration project, which is to document and catalog the entire collection using the reputable <I>PastPerfect </I>registration software<I>. </I></div> <bR> <div> Since our museum depends upon a variety of sources for funding we are continually researching new grants that will help us to meet our goals.</div> <bR> <div>  </div> <div> The PMHA board is presently preparing the budget for 2007. Readers are encouraged to contact us about any additional opportunities for funding that you come across.</div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <I>Mat-Su Regional Medical Center</I></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="660" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 228 WIDTH="331"><div> While we are best known for the collections at the downtown Palmer Visitors' Center, PMHA has a well-visited museum case at the “new” medical center. Just to the right of the main entry, the extensive display informs about the history of hospitals and medicine in the Palmer area from the early colony days. The medical Center generously supplied the display cases. Check it out during your next visit.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="318"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="228" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="318" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>  </B></I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=95e24c87-8732-48d5-8689-ab826e7b8fdf&DisplayLang=en" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/detai"><U><I><B>Microsoft WORD VIEWER</B></I></U></A></div> <div> OR </div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/re"><U><IMG SRC="075691f0.gif" border=0 width="105" height="31" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>