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Author
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Topic: Open a small space museum? Thoughts?
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tothemoon
Member Posts: 36
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 10-04-2020 06:39 PM
   
I've been tossing around the idea with a couple friends of opening up a small space museum. Not that my personal collection is all that big, but I really enjoy talking about space with people and would love to have a space to showcase my own and others' space memorabilia while talking about it.I was curious if any of you have any experience doing something similar, or even if not, I'm interested in hearing your thoughts about this process or implementations you've seen. |
SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 930
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 10-04-2020 07:44 PM
You might want to talk to people from The Space Station museum. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4660
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-04-2020 08:17 PM
Lots of small museums have been opened with little thought to long term sustainability and disposition of assets if there is a decision (either voluntarily or mandated by changing/unforeseen circumstances) to close. It becomes more interesting if a 5013C which imposes constraints on available options. |
randy
Member Posts: 2308
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 10-04-2020 08:25 PM
I would say, if you can work out the details, definitely go for it! |
tothemoon
Member Posts: 36
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 10-04-2020 08:30 PM
Thanks Randy! I'm excited about this possibility! quote:
Originally posted by SkyMan1958:
You might want to talk to people from The Space Station museum.
I'll check them out, thanks! quote:
Originally posted by SpaceAholic:
Lots of small museums have been opened with little thought to long term sustainability and disposition of assets...
I hear ya! I want to be thoughtful about it and take careful steps with an eye on long-term. I want more than a venue; I also want to host and run space events and talks in the space. One reason I thought I'd ask my fellow cS'ers your thoughts.  |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4660
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-04-2020 09:27 PM
Ken Winan of W Foundation is another recommended resource for input. |
tothemoon
Member Posts: 36
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 10-04-2020 09:51 PM
Funny enough, Ken Winans is one of the supporters of The Space Station that was posted about above. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44788
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-04-2020 11:22 PM
In addition to the Winans' The Space Station, I would also suggest looking into Earl Mullins' The Space Museum in Bonne Terre, Missouri and the Southern Colorado Space Museum and Learning Center in Pueblo that was started by Steve Janssen. |
tothemoon
Member Posts: 36
From: California
Registered: May 2020
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posted 10-05-2020 12:41 AM
Thanks for the tips! Are there any other smaller space museums that y'all have seen do a good job at some aspect? Be it display or events or management?Or are there particular museums that you've enjoyed working with as collectors? |
SkyMan1958
Member Posts: 930
From: CA.
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 10-05-2020 01:05 AM
The Space Station Museum in Novato is a subsidiary of the W Foundation. Ken Wnans is the head of both. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 819
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 10-05-2020 07:39 AM
Another "intermediate" option might be to put together a temporary display in a local library or school. I've done that with several friends/cSers in Georgia. Gilbert Huey master minded several of these events. It would give you an opportunity to get a sense of the community's interest and to see what's involved with putting everything together. Good luck. |
BMckay
Member Posts: 3396
From: MA, USA
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted 10-05-2020 03:11 PM
Make it easier on yourself. Create a traveling display that you can go to libraries, space days and schools (when you can) and teach and showcase what you have. |
Graves
New Member Posts: 8
From: Pearlington MS
Registered: Jan 2019
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posted 10-08-2020 08:12 AM
It is important to consider how you intend to get the public to your collection, so where you are, and how you intend to let the people know about you, are key to your success. Also, look into grants and how to go about leveraging things like education and the philanthropy buzzwords of the day into what you intend to do. |
thisismills
Member Posts: 353
From: Michigan
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 10-08-2020 08:32 AM
Best of luck with this, hopefully you are able to find a workable solution, and look forward to seeing photos when you get it up and running.Insurance is another topic that should be addressed if your collection will be on display outside of your immediate control (or versus a travelling display). A library, museum, or other institutions may have differing policies regarding this and I would recommend asking what their process would be in the event of theft or damage. |
LM1
Member Posts: 744
From: New York, NY
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 10-08-2020 09:41 AM
Try a small exhibit at a local library. |
LM1
Member Posts: 744
From: New York, NY
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 10-08-2020 09:41 AM
I agree that the best way to go is a temporary exhibit at a local library or even a bank. In 1970 or so I prepared an exhibit of my space/JFK philatelic covers and photos at a bank in Albany, NY near to where I worked.
I got the idea because they already had easels that they used for displays. I prepared the exhibit myself, mounting the covers on sheets of paper. The bank kept the exhibit on display for two weeks and replaced it with another exhibit.But that was the 1970s, when you could leave your door or car unlocked without fear of a robbery. These days, security would be a serious concern.
You could start with a small Space exhibit at a library or bank and then expand it if things work out. Or you could place a few items with supporting information in a local store window. I can remember seeing many space items in the window of a local store in Troy, NY many years ago. If you are thinking about a room in a library or local bank or store, security and insurance would be a special concern these days. A much larger exhibit in a local museum may be possible. If you actually want to exhibit in your own museum, your major concerns would be rent, security, insurance and many government regulations and even taxes (unless you obtain a 501c3 designation). Start small and see how it goes. Try a local library first. If you like to talk about space, your local library may add you and your exhibit to their schedule of lectures and meetings - perhaps a meeting of collectSPACE members. I held many meetings in Queens, NY in the 70s and 80s at the New York World's Fair Museum. The meetings were for members or the IASP — International Association of space Philatelists. We showed NASA films and had discussions and exhibits. Good luck with your plans for some kind of space museum. |
usafspace
Member Posts: 138
From: Los Angeles, CA USA
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-08-2020 11:57 AM
quote:
Originally posted by tothemoon:
I really enjoy talking about space with people and would love to have a space to showcase my own and others' space memorabilia while talking about it.
The way the world is now, a virtual museum, myspacemuseum.online, might be a thought? No health concerns and no rent and insurance, plus you can reach the entire connected world. |
Spacepsycho
Member Posts: 840
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 10-10-2020 11:40 AM
I would love to be part of a SoCal museum but there are so many hurdles with money being the primary issue. I have 150 to 200 pieces on loan to museums, I usually do 30 to 40 school presentations on the space program and Revolutionary War. Unfortunately there is no real money in the museum business in normal times and now with COVID-19, it has wiped out the small to mid sized museum operating funds. Between rent and facility operating costs that eat up half of the budgets, any museum requires a program that brings in a reliable and constant cash flow from multiple revenue streams. Bottom line, it ain't easy without big money from private donors or government grants. When I loan rare items to museums, the facility covers my stuff under their insurance at my valuation and there are no exceptions for acts of God or war like other policies. I have loaned inexpensive items to libraries, schools and science centers, but due to the severe lack of security, I will never loan an item that I would be upset if it was stolen. I'm happy to give my time, artifacts, contacts and building skills to help build and run a museum in SoCal. Send me an email and we can talk. |
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