Venango Museum survives on the help of others
Free concert is part of unofficial Oil Heritage kick-off
The Pine Valley Boys set up behind the Venango Museum Tuesday night to entertain a socially distanced crowd of about 75 people. The museum hosts a concert every year on the Tuesday before the official start of the Oil Heritage Festival. Tuesday's performance was sponsored event by the Jack Rowley Charitable Trust.
In the middle of the performance, museum director Betsy Kellner paused the music to ask the crowd for donations toward the festival. She was also accepting donations for the museum in the form of snack sales and by those thankful for the entertainment and what the museum provides. The museum provides a series of educational opportunities and preservation of its history.
Relying on a bunch of small, but important fundraisers throughout the year is how the Venango Museum stays afloat. COVID-19 has put a hurting on this according Kellner. "We've been good up until now," she said, crediting the support of Bridge Builders, the Samuel Justus Foundation and private donors.
In the middle of the performance, museum director Betsy Kellner paused the music to ask the crowd for donations toward the festival. She was also accepting donations for the museum in the form of snack sales and by those thankful for the entertainment and what the museum provides. The museum provides a series of educational opportunities and preservation of its history.
Relying on a bunch of small, but important fundraisers throughout the year is how the Venango Museum stays afloat. COVID-19 has put a hurting on this according Kellner. "We've been good up until now," she said, crediting the support of Bridge Builders, the Samuel Justus Foundation and private donors.
An example of a small, but steady source of income is the museum's month card party. Dozens of people join together to socialize and play cards. The monthly fun generates between $400 to $600 towards operating costs. COVID-19 has cancelled most of these this year, so that has left the museum with their hand out.
Since the governor lifted some restrictions allowing the museum to open, Kellner said she's lucky to see 10 visitors a week. That number is a fraction of their usual visitors.
Since the governor lifted some restrictions allowing the museum to open, Kellner said she's lucky to see 10 visitors a week. That number is a fraction of their usual visitors.
The museum is moving forward with what they can, including a sandwich contest in cooperation with various local establishments. Though the museum is fortunate organizations have supported them, they are always in need of additional funds to continue, according to Kellner.
Their website gives many opportunities to donate and support their programs. Their annual auction of donated items, not museum artifacts, is likely to be virtual this year if the virus restrictions are not lifted.
How you can help?
The roughly $6,000 a month minimal operating budget relies of donations and monies from their programs which are up in the air at this time. A Native American exhibit is currently open to public for free thanks to a grant, but they welcome visitor donations. To support you can send a check to the Venango Museum at 270 Seneca Street, Oil City, PA 16301 or call in a credit card donation to 814-676-2007.
Their website gives many opportunities to donate and support their programs. Their annual auction of donated items, not museum artifacts, is likely to be virtual this year if the virus restrictions are not lifted.
How you can help?
The roughly $6,000 a month minimal operating budget relies of donations and monies from their programs which are up in the air at this time. A Native American exhibit is currently open to public for free thanks to a grant, but they welcome visitor donations. To support you can send a check to the Venango Museum at 270 Seneca Street, Oil City, PA 16301 or call in a credit card donation to 814-676-2007.
RSS Feed