 |
The Purpose of a Private 501(c)3 (non-profit) Museum is Education, Period
Author: Marty Bernard
Date: 11-09-2011 - 17:11
All but a very few private (as opposed to state or federal) railroad museums are 501(c)3 because of the strong tax incentives. By accepting this non-profit status they agreed to be educational institutions. Their goal statement usually specifies the geographical region they will teach about. They are the railroading historical trust for that region.
Teaching tools include:
1. exquisitely restored artifacts that are viewed but not touched
2. rolling-stock artifacts that are restored but operated because riding is part of the teaching and teaching while riding is important
3. static displays possibly with video and sound
4. interactive displays that respond to visitor input
3. and 4. could be rolling stock that visitors walk through
3. and 4. could "feel and touch"
5. sometimes just a sign on an artifact
6. docents
7. accessible achieves and libraries
8. and the volunteer fixing the brakes who tales the time to explain what he/she is doing to that inquisitive 10-year old
As our railroad museums evolve, they are doing more and more of the above. Some are farther along than others.
And what do special events have to do with this? Events like Thomas, Pumpkin and Santa trains, birthday parties, etc.? Well, you can't do the above without money, but special events can be educational too.
And unless you are out there as a regular volunteer at a museum, working to make the place better, you have no grounds to criticize it (unless you wrote a big check last year). If you think you can improve a museum, come on out and do it. Be one of us.
Stepping off soap box now.
Marty
Teaching tools include:
1. exquisitely restored artifacts that are viewed but not touched
2. rolling-stock artifacts that are restored but operated because riding is part of the teaching and teaching while riding is important
3. static displays possibly with video and sound
4. interactive displays that respond to visitor input
3. and 4. could be rolling stock that visitors walk through
3. and 4. could "feel and touch"
5. sometimes just a sign on an artifact
6. docents
7. accessible achieves and libraries
8. and the volunteer fixing the brakes who tales the time to explain what he/she is doing to that inquisitive 10-year old
As our railroad museums evolve, they are doing more and more of the above. Some are farther along than others.
And what do special events have to do with this? Events like Thomas, Pumpkin and Santa trains, birthday parties, etc.? Well, you can't do the above without money, but special events can be educational too.
And unless you are out there as a regular volunteer at a museum, working to make the place better, you have no grounds to criticize it (unless you wrote a big check last year). If you think you can improve a museum, come on out and do it. Be one of us.
Stepping off soap box now.
Marty
The Purpose of a Private 501(c)3 (non-profit) Museum is Education, Period