Funding worries besiege museum

Dispelling rumors of a museum shutdown amid the absence of a stable funding source, Museum of History and Culture Board Chair Herman T. Guerrero is determined to go through all proper lengths to nurse CNMI’s rich archaeological repository back to health.

Carrying an air of optimism, Mr. Guerrero is hopeful help will be underway, following a request he submitted to government leaders, calling for the restoration of the museum’s 15 percent budget cut, crucial to the sustenance of the agency’s operations and projects.

“If we don’t get the funding, it will affect us since our depleting resources may not last us until the end of this fiscal year,” according to the board chairman.

The budget impediment has downed numerous aspects of the local history museum which has prompted the museum board to map out revenue-generating schemes to keep the facility afloat.

Among its options are to put up a bookstore, a gift shop, and other fundraising activities.

“We’ve had to cut back on a lot of things. There are so many issues going around. But it all boils down to funding. So we try to look at different ways to generate money,” said Mr. Guerrero.

A museum conservation assessment report completed last year by historic preservationists strongly recommended a well-developed plan to be implemented to safeguard precious archaeological collections stored inside the museum.

The plan, undoubtedly a very expensive investment, must have significant financial backing from the government, according to collection conservator Laura Gorman.

She also underscored that the museum is not currently or in the future in a position to be self-supporting.

“The need for continued government support must be recognized so that this fledging institution can continue to fulfill it’s mission to acquire and preserve the historical and cultural artifacts of the CNMI,” said Ms. Gorman.

Principal recommendations cited in the museum assessment report included the development of long term plans and budget for collections storage, investments on facility, supplies, and equipment, and investment in resources and training for staff in collections care.

Experts also suggested that the local museum take steps to mitigate risks of leaking and flooding at the Old Japanese Hospital Building, activate the sprinkler systems in facilities, and the development of a budget that reflects accurate, specific costs for running the museum.

Despite the long string of concerns that need to be addressed, Ms. Gorman also noted that the CNMI Museum has made excellent progress since its inception in 1996.

According to her, a historic facility has been handsomely renovated to serve as the museum, and important collections have been acquired.

She added that a five-year strategic plan has been drawn up with objectives that are being met through the collaboration of its qualified staff who have begun to establish exhibit and collection management programs.