We have nine historic buildings within the museum grounds ranging from 1917
to 1950's. They are of log and frame construction. One is the main museum
featuring exhibits from our region. The other eight are situated in a
pretty park setting enclosed by a picket fence.  They are in the final
stages of restoration and contain exhibits and dioramas depicting their
history. The buildings are open to the public for viewing and community
programs.  My goal is to have various community organizations and or
businesses "adopt" these buildings to fund their restoration, up-keep, and
programs.  This is along the lines of the "adopt a highway" program.  While
the building is not actually adopted and owned by the organization or
business, they must take responsibility for it. Each building will have a
mission statement and a list of needs and goals. Funding & volunteers to
accomplish these goals and programs will be required by the "parent"
organization.

I need to create this program with goals, guidelines, and agreements as a
whole, and also for each individual building.  City council and historical
society board must approve this, as we are a city museum.  The buildings
are owned by the city and the collections are owned by the historical
society.

Does anyone have anything like this in place?  If so, is it working? Do you
have some advice? How did you develop it?  Could you send me a copy of your
program and agreements to use as a format?  Does any one know of sources
that have samples of these types of programs? Any comments or advice on
this concept?

Geri McCann
Dorothy Page Museum
Wasilla, Alaska
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