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Media contacts: Kim Schuette: 614.297.2314 or kschuette@ohiohistory.org
For Immediate Release
Ohio Historical Society Enters Into Agreement For Campus Martius, Ohio River Museums
Local Group To Keep Sites Open More Days
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - The Ohio Historical Society has entered into an agreement with Friends of the Museums, Inc., to manage Campus Martius and Ohio River Museums, according to Jim Strider, acting executive director for the Ohio Historical Society.
"We're excited that the Friends of the Museums will manage both our museums in Marietta and look forward to working with them in the years to come to promote Ohio history to visitors," said Strider.
After receiving comments from community members at a public meeting Sept. 1 and taking into consideration the best interests of the historic site, the OHS Board of Trustees Executive Committee authorized the management agreement. Friends of the Museums will take control over the daily operations of both sites effective Oct. 1, 2009.
"By teaming up with the Friends of the Museums, we can keep Campus Martius and Ohio River Museums open more days and improve visitor services" Strider said. "Just as important, it should provide for increased community involvement and enable both sites to continue to be sources of community pride."
Jean Yost, who headed the management task force for the Friends of the Museums, said, "We're enthusiastic about sharing the rich story of Marietta's place in Ohio history as well as its river heritage. Together with the Ohio Historical Society, the Friends of the Museums will work to increase visitation, particularly from schools and group tours."
With this agreement 39 of the 58 sites in the OHS network of historic sites and museums will be managed by other organizations on behalf of the historical society. Under such agreements, the Ohio Historical Society typically provides an annual financial subsidy to a local organization to help underwrite the costs of day-to-day site operations, which primarily includes providing visitor services, educational and interpretive programs and basic maintenance. The local group keeps income from admissions, program fees and rentals. The society will continue to provide collections and resource management, major maintenance and professional resources as well as be responsible for funding and administering capital improvements. Managed sites continue to be a vital part of the OHS network of historic sites and museums.
"In addition to the subsidy from the Ohio Historical Society, the Friends of the Museums will need to raise more money through admissions, fees and donations to keep the museums open more days each year. While we’ve already received tremendous local support from people wanting to volunteer and businesses providing in-kind services, we’ll need financial contributions as well."
The Campus Martius Museum, at 601 Second St. in Marietta, highlights migration in Ohio's history, while the Ohio River Museum, a block from Campus Martius at 601 Front St., features exhibits on the natural history of the Ohio River and tells the story of the steamboat era on the Ohio River system. Moored on the Muskingum River at the Ohio River Museum is the W.P. Snyder Jr., the last steam-powered, stern-wheeled towboat in the United States.
Effective Oct. 1, there will be new hours of operation and admission prices for both museums. Campus Martius will be open year-round, six days a week, Monday, Wednesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission will be $7 for adult, $4 for student and children ages 5 and under are free. The Ohio River Museum will be open April 1-Sept. 6, 2010, six days a week, Monday, Wednesday-Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission will be $6 for adult, $3 for student and children ages 5 and under are free. Families can purchase a 30-day pass to both museums for $25. Visit www.ohiohistory.org/places or call 740-373-3750/800.860.0145 for more information.
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