I haven't followed this theme on the list in its entirety, but I'll share
an experience at my Museum:

In December 1990 (in conjunction with the traveling "Wolves and Humans"
exhibit), we developed our own small exhibit on the Mexican Grey Wolf
(which may be introduced in New Mexico or Arizona in the nearish future).

As part of that exhibit, we placed our "Two Bit Opinion Poll," posing this
question: Should the Mexican Grey Wolf be reintroduced in New Mexico?" We
have two tubes -- one yes, the other no -- with a slot at the top, inviting
visitors to vote at 25 cents per vote. It's still there, and in the five
and a half years it's been up, our visitors have spent $10,104.67 to vote
on the issue (Yes = $9,499.89; NO = $604.78). And these are people who
spent anywhere from $1 to $4 to visit the Museum!

What's the point? If you have a controversial (or well-known) issue, you
may be able to generate some money from it by providing an inexpensive
opportunity for your visitors to show which side they favor. Obviously,
this may not work in every Museum, and some of the issues may be better
left alone. But, it does provide a tiny but welcome bit of income for my
Museum. All the money, by the way, goes into the black hole known as the
general operating budget.

John Arnold
Public Information Officer
New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Albuquerque
[log in to unmask]

"Sometimes the light's all shining on me. Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been."