For release:   Immediately

REQUEST PHOTO: kplimley@sbcm.sbcounty.gov

 

County museum receives $176,000 contribution

 

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors presented a resolution to the San Bernardino County Museum Association at their meeting on Tuesday, March 16, recognizing the Association’s capital campaign contribution to the county museum of $176,000 and its continuing support of the museum’s mission and programs.

 

“The Association’s capital campaign to assist with county museum improvements is well underway, as evidenced by this contribution,” said Robert Christman, president of the Museum Association’s board of directors. “We look forward to standing in front of the Board of Supervisors again with additional contributions for the museum, and with the continuing support of the community we are certain to be doing so soon.”

 

The Museum Association was organized in 1952 for the purpose of founding a San Bernardino County Museum. A museum was constructed in Bloomington and officially opened in July, 1957 and the county passed an ordinance declaring the county’s intention to establish and maintain a county museum in 1959. The Board of Supervisors appointed a 10-member Museum Commission in 1960 and the county took ownership of the museum buildings and grounds in 1963. The Museum Association continues as the non-profit membership and support group for the County Museum.

 

When a comprehensive initiative to expand, update, and enliven its campus and exhibit galleries in furtherance of the museum mission was initiated in 2007, the Museum Association announced a capital campaign program to raise $400,000 in support of the new Hall of Geological Wonders. By the end of 2009, the Association had raised $200,000 toward this goal, of which $176,000 was formally contributed to the County Museum on Tuesday.

 

“The San Bernardino County Museum would literally not exist in its present form without the Museum Association,” said Museum Director Robert McKernan. “For more than 50 years they have provided services and support for the museum’s physical campus and its programs, including the publications program, fund raising, special events including the annual Wildlife Art Festival, and a lively travel program along with membership services. The Association is a vital link between the county museum and our community.”

 

The Museum Association donated $100,000 toward construction of the new San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands in 1974. The present facility opened in 1975 at the California Street exit from Interstate 10. The Association subsequently purchased land adjacent to the new museum and constructed a special exhibits hall, anthropology curation facility, administrative offices, and the Teachers Hall of Fame and Exploration Station. These and other properties were pledged to the County Museum in 2002 on the occasion of the Association’s 50th anniversary.

 

“As the county museum continues to expand its services and improve its main facility and branches throughout the county, from Chino to Victor Valley, we look forward to our continuing partnership with the Museum Association to support the museum’s mission,” said McKernan.

 

The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $8 (adult), $6 (military or senior), $5 (student), and $4 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD) 909-792-1462.

###

 

PHOTO CAPTION

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors presented a resolution to the San Bernardino County Museum Association on Tuesday, March 16. From left: Robert McKernan, museum director; Paul Biane, 2nd district supervisor; Josie Gonzales, 5th district supervisor; Robert Christman, SBCMA board president; Dean McVay, SBCMA board vice-president; Brad Mitzelfelt, 1st district supervisor; Neil Derry, 3rd district supervisor.

 

----