William -

I think it is fair to say, based on statistics within our state
historic sites division and based on what I hear informally through
the sites/open-air msueum network, that these museums are struggling
to sustain a level attendance and many are seeing drops in attendance
during the past several years - even the big ones out East.  It seems
to be a national phenomenon.  Our sites division has cut our operating
hours in 2002 because of falling attendance.

I don't think anyone has a good idea about why this is happening.
Perhaps one should propose to an appropriate professional organization
such as AASLH, that they conduct a marketing study to determine the
cause and some solutions.  I suspect the cause is more universal and
not local or regional in scope.

Judy Meyerdierks
[log in to unmask]


>>> [log in to unmask] 01/12/02 08:57PM >>>
We (the Oregon Heritage Commission) annually collect data from about
one-third of Oregon's heritage institutions.  Preliminary analysis of
our information collected for 2001 shows a drop in visitation for that
one-third.  The relevant figures are 1.8-million for 1999, 1.7 million
for 2000, and 1.1-million for 2001.  Although the year-to-year
comparisons are not exact because some of the reporting institutions
change each year, the 2001 figures seem to indicate a significant
decline in attendance although 2001 figures hours open, volunteer
hours, and operating/capital expenditures do not vary significantly
from 1999 and 2000.

I'd be interested to know if a similar decline in attendance has been
found for either statistically or anecdotally at other heritage
facilities in the United States.

William S. Hanable
Manager, Oregon Heritage Commission
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