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1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
MEMO TO THE MUSEUM BOARD
October 29, 2020
Hello Everyone,
I hope everyone is well and enjoying autumn. Sadly, the gorgeous colors are fast disappearing. I
have just a few things this week, but they are significant.
For numerous reasons, the Sports & Recreation exhibition has been a challenge. Our contract with Split
Rock Studios (SRS) is now concluded and a decision was made this week to complete this long-term
exhibition in-house rather than continuing with SRS. Given the type of exhibitions we have created
in-house in the last few years, including the amazing work on the Clan figures, and the smaller size
of the gallery, I am confident staff will create a superb exhibition. The key interactive, a 13’ long
vintage bowling machine, has been purchased and will arrive in early December.
The timeline for opening Sports & Recreation has moved to 2022, although it might be possible to begin
some limited fit-out work in 2021. Next year promises to be bursting with good things. We have a
full schedule with the Star Wars exhibition, followed by the June Pow Wow and then in July by
Titanic, not to mention a new staff member joining the team in January. As well, we hope to resume
our Enrichment Program, and new education and program initiatives are planned. For all these
reasons, the opening of Sports & Recreation has been postponed until 2022. And, if funding is awarded,
we expect to continue research and object selection, but more significantly, begin the initial design
work for Deep Roots in 2021.
This week our education assistant (LTE), Tanya Schmidt, joined the staff. She will be working on the
new curriculum materials, field trip activities, and the traveling trunks (the latter supported by a
grant from the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation). The education position continues in 2021.
If you follow the Museum’s Facebook posts, you saw we completed an exhibit at the Otter Street Fire
Station. It turned out exceptionally well. As always, the staff did a very fine job. We have other exhibit
work at that station that is coming up in 2021.
Registrar Emily Rock is working on an important assignment related to our Abraham Lincoln bronze.
Given the wanton violent destruction of historic and artistic monuments and sculptures that has
occurred around the nation, including in our own state, we believe it is prudent to have a formal
appraisal of the Adolph Alexander Weinman sculpture, which is being done by Christie’s Museum
Division in New York. Of note, we have a plan in place if we believe violence threatens this sculpture;
a robust box would quickly be built around the entire sculpture.
That ends the week and I hope you have a pleasant weekend.
Brad Larson