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1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
MEMO TO THE MUSEUM BOARD
December 4, 2020
To the Board,
It has been several weeks since my last memo. There was not a December Board meeting, and at this
time the City is uncertain when in-person meetings of Boards and Commissions will resume in 2021.
I do not foresee a January 7 meeting, as the agenda would have to go out in late December.
When we are able to meet again, one agenda item will be related to a bequest. Former Board member
and long-time Member and supporter, John Spanbauer, passed away last month and included the
Museum in his Will. I am recommending part of John’s bequest be designated to the Endowment,
and part to support the Titanic exhibition. I have written a few more sponsorship requests for the
Titanic exhibition, as it would be helpful for the 2021 budget if we would be able to increase our
sponsorships. John and I worked together on several projects while he was a Board member, and he
would often stop by and visit.
Several weeks ago the Museum returned the John Quinney powder horn to the Mohican people
(Stockbridge-Munsee). I had planned to write about that in a weekly memo, but Marketing
Coordinator Tammy Malewski worked with Oshkosh Media Services to create a fine video on the
repatriation. Given that the video was forthcoming, I decided to wait until it was completed and send
the link to that instead of writing about it.
Here is the link to the production on repatriation: https://youtu.be/pmIxO6Ry2Yc . You’ll see that
Media Services truly does professional work.
Our new Archivist Amy Fels starts in one month and this week I prepared for her start. The archives
is a heavily utilized resource and, unfortunately, she will be faced with somewhat of a backlog,
although Debra Daubert and other collection staff have tried to stay on top of things. New employees
are given a daily agenda for a well-planned first week that is intended to systematically introduce
them to Museum operations. Because it can seem overwhelming when new staff face their
responsibilities, I typically also provide a list and description of first year priorities. Theresa will send
these materials to Amy next week and it all works in concert to facilitate a smooth start.
January is typically a busy month for staff and next year is no different. In addition to Amy’s arrival
on January 4, we will be removing Museum Curiosities and immediately preparing for Star Wars: The
Nostalgia Awakens, which opens January 24. This exhibition showcases a large, comprehensive
collection of original Star Wars toys, and we will also exhibit our meteorite collection. Exhibit
Technician Greg Witthun created a wonderful case and mounts. Of note, we will use our new online
program, Schedules Plus, to enable visitors to reserve a time to see Star Wars, as well as pay
admission. Using Schedules Plus will help control the number of visitors in the Museum at any one
1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
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time so we do not exceed our maximum. Using Schedules Plus is a test-run in preparation for the
Titanic exhibition. In late January, we will resume work on Sports & Recreation, and begin planning
how to tackle Deep Roots, Growing City.
Our attendance continues to be light, although visitation has increased slightly due to the Holidays
and our annual Elf Hunt. Visitors can now use the computer interactives in People of the Waters
through the use of a free stylus that eliminates touching the screen surfaces with a finger.
In the miscellaneous paragraph, the 2020 budget included Collection Funds to purchase three
iridescent glass vases for the decorative arts collection. Assistant Director/Durow Curator Anna
Cannizzo, with input from the Collections Review Committee, made the selections and purchases.
They are really gorgeous and she was able to acquire them at superb prices. They will be part of an
upcoming exhibition in the Sawyer library in 2021. The vintage bowling machine purchased for Sports
& Recreation, which will be the main interactive, is scheduled for delivery on Monday. We are excited
about that, and this task was assigned to Assistant Curator Katrina Achilli, who did an excellent job.
The unusually mild December weather enabled Matt Reinke to work outside, getting a bit ahead for
next year. He focused on the removal of bushes and trees around the old fountain in preparation for
landscaping, with welcome help from the Forestry Division. The cast iron fern benches will be
repainted over the winter and in spring placed as seating on the visitor walks. All these tasks have to
be completed well before the June 5 PowWow, so doing any work now is extremely helpful because
a project for spring is replacing deteriorated concrete steps and walks. Next week I interview
candidates for the janitor position, and the following week I begin vacation on December 14. Quite a
few staff are off for the holidays and we all are grateful to those staff who remain.
That ends the week and I hope everyone has a pleasant weekend.
Brad Larson