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1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
MEMO TO THE MUSEUM BOARD
June 10, 2021
To the Board,
The Pow Wow was a great success and despite the hot weather, we had excellent attendance
inside and out. Without a doubt the Museum achieved the most important outcomes, which was
to celebrate the Clans, reinforce that the Museum is a dedicated and enthusiastic caretaker of the
Clan figures, and we do so in collaboration and respect. I am confident that the Menominee in
attendance recognized that the Museum sees this as a great honor, and that the Museum does not
take its role lightly.
I again express gratitude to the staff and volunteers who worked that day. As I observed how
they interacted with the public, I was again struck with the fact that this institution has superb
personnel, and that will serve the Museum well as it moves forward.
As staff turn their attention to the next big event, there is a change related to the arrival of the
Titanic artifacts. As with any major project, there are many diverse aspects and tasks that have to
be planned and coordinated and that often takes time and patience. The new arrival date for the
artifacts is July 9 (rather than July 13) and thus the Museum will be closed. The crates holding the
Titanic artifacts cannot all fit through the gallery doors. That means the crates will be brought in
through the main entrance and will sit in the lobby area throughout the acclimation period.
Because the Titanic objects are incredibly fragile, they cannot be removed from the crates
immediately. The crates are standard sizes and the inability to move them into galleries is not a
new problem, as our building was not designed with that in mind.
Last year I asked former Exhibit Technician Bill Radig if he would be willing to put together a
large, detailed model of Titanic, and he agreed. This week he delivered the completed ship and
Bill’s extreme attention to detail is clearly evident. He ordered tiny human figures, to scale, from
a company in the Czech Republic and so now the model includes passengers on the first class
promenade deck! The model will be raffled.
This week Exhibit Technician Greg Witthun worked on the new photographic exhibit developed
by Archivist Amy Fels. The images are awesome and many come from the uncatalogued
collections and have not been on view prior to this project. It should be completed next week.
On Tuesday, I met with Mr. Rohloff to review 2022 through 2026 capital improvement requests.
The Board is already familiar with most of the projects, although a few new ones were added. In
the new category are the Carriage House doors and workshop (2022), and the Carriage House
foundation (2025). You might recall that we have two 2021 capital projects that will be bid this
autumn for work in 2022 (landscaping and cement work).
1331 Algoma Boulevard, Oshkosh WI 54901 • 920.236.5799 • oshkoshmuseum.org
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The proposed 2022 projects tie to current priorities outlined in our strategic plan, are already in
progress (i.e., Deep Roots, Growing City), and are fairly straightforward and should not be difficult
for the incoming Director. As a reminder, all departmental projects are reviewed over the summer
months and the City Manager then presents the final recommended capital improvements to the
Common Council in late August for discussion and vote. After projects are formally adopted,
Assistant Director Anna Cannizzo will review them with the Board and explain the funding and
probable schedule for the upcoming year. However, please keep in mind that the new Director
will in all likelihood review and prioritize capital projects. The actual budget and authorization
for funding of those projects is done as part of the budget adoption in mid-November.
In the miscellaneous paragraph, the Auxiliary met this week and they are considering a scaled-
back version of the November Gala. The Auxiliary does not want to miss having a Gala for two
consecutive years, which is certainly understandable. I have no other details, but I’m certain the
Auxiliary will keep everyone informed as they work through details and logistics. And Auxiliary
Secretary Sue Eichman confirmed the Auxiliary will not hold Pie on the Lawn this year.
I will be on vacation for a few days, and Anna is also on vacation, so if you have any questions
that cannot wait until next Wednesday, kindly contact Administrative Assistant Theresa Books.
That ends the week and I hope you have a pleasant weekend.
Brad Larson
Director