HomeMy WebLinkAbout02.28.20 Attachment 11 | P a g e
February 28, 2020
To the Board,
Earlier this week Theresa sent the March 5 agenda and the Durow Trust report, which is the first item on
the agenda. Assistant Finance Director Jennifer Messerschmitt and City Attorney Lynn Lorenson will
attend that presentation.
I have also attached the results of a new survey on history and history museums. The article about the
survey reveals how Americans perceive the relevance of history and the role of museums, which I find
quite encouraging. The survey was commissioned by Conner Prairie Living History site in Indiana and
polled over 1,000 Americans in various age categories and regions of the nation. I think you will find it
both interesting and revealing.
Under my Director’s Report, the only item that bears explanation is the request for repatriation. The
Stockbridge-Munsee (Mohican) have requested the return of a powder horn that once belonged to their
grand sachem, John Wannuaucon Quinney. I believe the horn was passed from one sachem to another.
We are working our way through the request, but we see no reason to deny it.
This week we had a productive meeting about operational changes and tasks to accomplish before
Titanic arrives, as well as a second meeting that focused on the work necessary to refurbish the gallery
prior to the July arrival of artifacts. We have a small window to complete that work and so it must be
well planned.
On the subject of Titanic, you might have read the article last week about the Titanic and the pending
maritime court decision to give RMS Titanic, Inc., the firm designated as the sole salvor and steward of
the Titanic materials, permission to recover the Marconi set. That telegraph unit is iconic and would be
an incredibly powerful artifact in telling the story of the ship and its passengers and crew. The set was
used to send the now famous Morse code message: “We have struck an iceberg and sinking by the
head. “ RMS Titanic, Inc., is allowed to salvage objects from the debris field but not from the vessel. The
ship is deteriorating at a rapid rate and scientists anticipate that it will soon collapse. If the Marconi set
is not recovered soon, it will be lost. The Titanic wreck is protected by maritime law and is viewed
differently than other ship wrecks. Of course, there is no assurance the court will allow the recovery of
the Marconi set, or anything else on the ship.
I am pleased to report that it seems likely that we will be able to present a Menominee Clans Powwow,
probably in June. This will probably involve not only the Menominee, but also other nations. There are
many elements to work out before we are able to announce this, but I believe it is looking positive. Once
confirmed, we will extend a formal invitation to the Menominee elders and leaders and begin work on
marketing and sponsorship.
In the miscellaneous paragraph, the first thing of note is that in the coming weeks we’ll be bringing
firefighters through our two buildings as part of our effort to provide orientation to first responders. The
upcoming tours will focus on becoming familiar with the structures, but later we will turn attention to
staff and volunteer training for emergencies. This week Anna Cannizzo and Tammy Malewski, along with
members of the Garden Club, attended a Southwest Rotary meeting to formally receive our
beautification award. I am pleased the Garden Club was also recognized, as those dedicated members
put in countless hours maintaining and adding to the gorgeous flower beds that enhance the entrance
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area. We had a nice turnout for the opening of Then & Now on Sunday, with excellent media coverage;
Anna, Tammy, and Deb did a fine job. In my time as Director, I have only missed a few openings and last
Sunday’s was one of them, but it could not be helped. The staff still does not have access to Past Perfect,
so we remain unable to perform our core function. While we are making due, the sooner we can get
back to normal the better everyone will feel about public inquiries and upcoming projects and
deadlines.
Yesterday I had lunch with a man whose grandfather served in the 42nd Division, 150th Machine Gun
Battalion, during World War I. He read my book, had questions about the unit, and wanted to talk about
the project. Most people who work in the museum field do so in part because they want to help connect
Americans to the past. I enjoyed the meeting and appreciate that he reached out to me.
Finally, Theresa is not in the office but I anticipate she will return by Tuesday. If you have any questions
or concerns related to the agenda or your attendance next week, please contact me.
That ends the week and I look forward to seeing everyone next Thursday afternoon.
Brad Larson
1 0 6 W a s h i n g t o n A v e n u e , O s h k o s h , W i s c o n s i n 5 4 9 0 1 -4 9 8 5
Oshkosh Public Library (920) 236-5200 Administration (920) 236-5210 FAX (920) 236-5228 www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org
For information:
Laura McDonald
(920) 236-5125
Oshkosh Public Library March events calendar
March 2020 events at Oshkosh Public Library (oshkoshpubliclibrary.org):
March Exhibit
Helen Mears Art Contest Winners, March 3 – 30, Children’s Department
March 2
Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Read to a Dog, 4 p.m. Register at 236-5208.
March 3
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Stories by Starlight,
6 p.m., preschoolers and families.
March 4
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Wonderlab: Daring
Dairy, 6 p.m. Register at 236-5208.
March 5
Baby Bounce Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to age one.
March 6
Smart Starts Play Stations, 9 to 11 a.m., ages 1 to 4; Tween Book Club: Hello, Universe, 4:30 p.m.; Teen
Book Club: The Cruel Prince, 4:30 p.m.
March 7
Oshkosh Area Writers Club, 10 a.m.; LEGO Wall Open Build, noon to 3 p.m.
March 8
Movies with Friends, 2 p.m.
March 9
Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Read to a Dog, 4 p.m.
March 10
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Adult DIY: Ceramic
Mugs, 6 p.m. Register at 236-5205; Considerations at OPL: Second Amendment Sanctuary Movement,
6 p.m.; Stories by Starlight, 6 p.m., preschoolers and families; Oshkosh Memorabilia Club, 6:30 p.m.
March 11
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Memory Café, 1 p.m.;
What’s Cooking Book Club: Go-To Recipes, 6:30 p.m.
-more-
1 0 6 W a s h i n g t o n A v e n u e , O s h k o s h , W i s c o n s i n 5 4 9 0 1 -4 9 8 5
Oshkosh Public Library (920) 236-5200 Administration (920) 236-5210 FAX (920) 236-5228 www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org
March 12
Baby Bounce Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to age one; Considerations at Evergreen: Second Amendment
Sanctuary Movement, 9:30 a.m.; Afternoon Book Club, 1:30 p.m.; Winnebagoland Genealogical Society
Meeting, 6 p.m.
March 14
LEGO Wall Open Build, noon to 3 p.m.
March 16
Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Monday Movie Matinee, 12:30 p.m.; Read to a Dog,
4 p.m.
March 17
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Fox Valley Free Legal
Assistance Clinic, 4:30 p.m.; Stories by Starlight, 6 p.m., preschoolers and families.
March 18
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Wonderlab: Rube
Goldberg Challenge, 6 p.m.
March 19
Baby Bounce Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to age one; Morning Book Club: A Gentleman in Moscow,
10 a.m.
March 21
Oshkosh Area Writers Club, 10 a.m.; LEGO Wall Open Build, noon to 3 p.m.
March 23
Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Read to a Dog, 4 p.m. Register at 236-5208.
March 24
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Anytime Fitness Gym
Kids, noon; LEGO Wall Open Build, noon to 3 p.m.; Adult DIY: Ceramic Mugs, 6 p.m. Register at
236-5205; Stories by Starlight, 6 p.m., preschoolers and families.
March 25
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Anytime Fitness Gym
Kids, noon; Forgotten Women of Oshkosh, 6 p.m.
March 26
LEGOmania Design Contest submissions due; Baby Bounce Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to age one;
Library Board Meeting, 4 p.m.
March 27
LEGOmania STEAM Day: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Contest winners announced at noon.
-more-
1 0 6 W a s h i n g t o n A v e n u e , O s h k o s h , W i s c o n s i n 5 4 9 0 1 -4 9 8 5
Oshkosh Public Library (920) 236-5200 Administration (920) 236-5210 FAX (920) 236-5228 www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org
March 28
LEGO Wall Open Build, noon to 3 p.m.
March 30
Family Storytime, 9:30 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Read to a Dog, 4 p.m. Register at 236-5208.
March 31
High Hopes Early Literacy Storytime, 9:30 & 10:15 a.m., infants to preschoolers; Stories by Starlight,
6 p.m., preschoolers and families
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