Aldermen tour museum, learn more before making decision on takeover plan
Posted on Wednesday, July 16, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/bvwv/News/6703/
City Council members stepped back in time Friday as they toured the Bella Vista Historical Museum.
Carole Westby, president of the Bella Vista Historical Society, gave a tour and answered questions from council members as they continued their consideration of the city possibly acquiring the museum.
In February, on behalf of the historical society, Westby proposed the city become owner of the museum, which contains historical artifacts of the Bella Vista area. That acquisition would include the building, storage shed and contents. The two acres the museum sits on are owned by Cooper Realty Investments Inc. and are deeded to the historical society, with the stipulation that the land must be used for the museum.
There are several reasons for Westby’s proposal, one of which is the age of the board for the historical society. At 67, she is the youngest member by about 20 years, with the majority of the members in their late 80 s.
There is also declining interest in the museum itself, but, “ I think we can be infused, ” Westby said. “ Kids bring in their parents, and homeschoolers do, as well. ”
Westby added that Cooper Elementary School could be offered programs that would generate more interest in the history of the area.
The exact number of visitors is unknown, but it has been in decline, according to Westby.
“ Only half of the people who come sign in, ” she said.
There are approximately 150 society members, but the organization is losing them at a rate of three to four per year, with maybe two new members joining annually at this point, Westby said.
City Council members asked about the state of the 2, 440-square-foot building, built in 1985. The museum is housed in a double-wide trailer built to specifications in Missouri.
A permanent addition was added in 1995.
In response to one alderman’s query on the heating and air-conditioning system, Westby said she did not know the age of the unit, but it has had regular maintenance each year since 1996, since she has been president.
Westby’s initial proposal included the City Council taking over the grounds maintenance and insurance coverage, the museum’s two largest expenses. She thought at the time those would not be additional expenses to the city, but she has since learned differently, Westby said. The city does not have a maintenance crew and would need to have a separate insurance policy.
It is uncertain whether the museum is within a floodplain, a concern expressed by some aldermen in the past. If it is, it could be an additional insurance expense.
If an agreement is reached, Westby said the historical society would continue to operate the museum with its volunteers, including 15 docents, and any activities would continue to be supervised by the society.
Westby estimates the museum needs an annual operating budget of $ 5, 000 to $ 6, 000.
The majority is funded by the historical society’s members, book sales, donations and, “ to some degree, from room use, ” Westby said.
Westby said the society is currently withdrawing $ 1, 000 a year from savings for operating expenses. At that rate, the organization would only have enough money to maintain the museum for another five years, she said.
Several years ago, Westby proposed a joint venture with the Bentonville Historical Society, which does not have a museum, but “ there wasn’t the interest, ” she said.
Regardless of what happens, for Westby, the most important thing is the museum remain open.
“ The value of the museum is going to be because of the schools. You never know who you impact.
“ A kid comes in, and years later remembers when he went to this little museum, then decides he wants to be a curator or something. ”
The museum is open from 1 p. m. to 4 p. m. Thursday through Sunday, from March to November, and other times by request.
The City Council will continue discussions of the museum at its next meeting at 6: 30 p. m. July 28 at the Bella Vista Community Television Channel 16 studio, located in Highlands Crossing Community Center.