HOW GOOD IS YOUR MUSEUM?
(Page 2 of 4)
July/August 1985
Gerry Lestz
The major building under construction by members is the new
blacksmith shop, made possible through a $50,000 grant from the
State of California. The group has made an application for further
funding.
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On the day Margaret and I visited with John and Jean Baucus, the
building work was proceeding merrily. Bill May showed us around,
and made an excellent guide. The day was a Saturday in winter, and
it was fully evident that members were enthusiastic about
expansion.
We met Heather Johnson, who holds a college degree in museum
operation. She is the museum's first fulltime employee, working
four days a week, running the office, answering the telephone,
working on grants and directing the inventory.
The day we were there, a team of volunteers was working on the
inventory, identifying items as they went along, and recording all
they could learn about the pieces. One item, a horse-drawn Fresno,
had been donated by Carl Myers, of Parawon, Utah, who 'stopped
in and offered it'.
Making of an inventory is very important, for various reasons.
For one, it provides a record that an item is in the collection; if
it ever disappears or is misplaced, the record helps; it can show
the extent of a collection; it can help toward a basis for
insurance; it can aid other collectors who want to know about
certain types of engines or implements, or about makes of
machinery.
The Vista collection has far more of gas than steam, but there
are several steam traction engines, and an impressive stationary
steam display which is supplied by pipe.
Theft of valuable engines has made the members more conscious of
the need for security, and they have acted accordingly. The subject
of theft from museums is a very pertinent one, and we look for
input from our readers on (1) objects that have been stolen and not
recovered, so that we may try to help spread the word, and (2)
steps taken to thwart thieves.
We like the information Bill assembled for us, and present it
herewith.
Update on Vista
Our attendance was great again this year even though the San
Diego Padres hit us head-on one weekend of our fall show. Weather
out here being as it is allows us to put on 4 weekends of show a
year. Two shows are in June and then two more weekends in
October.
Of course the June show is probably a little better than the
October show. In June we can have the Holt Hillside Harvester out
in the field each day (no grain in the field in October) and cut,
bind and bundle grain with the binder. Some of the old hands get to
try to shock the bundles and even put a cap on them.