Desmond,

If it helps in your research - The Museum of Western Colorado in Grand
Junction, Colorado has an allosaurus in the front inside entrance that says
threatening phrases (I can't remember exactly what they were) when you put
money in it - I was there when several kids kept begging their parents for
money to keep it going. 

I also recall that the La Brea Tar Pits, in Los Angeles, has a saber tooth
cat in a gallery (it's placed next to a window into the working lab) that
accepts money that you have to place in the toothy jaws.

Melissa Rosengard
Western Museums Association



-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of dkennard
Sent: Sunday, December 19, 2004 9:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Museum Donation Boxes

I am currently writing a short article for the MAG, the Journal of the
Museums & Galleries Foundation NSW, on donation boxes in museums & galleries
as a means of raising income for general use and special projects. I have
noted the interest by respondents to this discussion list in using a
donation box as an alternative to charging entrance 
fees.   However, I want to demonstrate, if possible, that design novelty 
is an important element in attracting a donation as well as the location and
information provided about its purpose..

The following are questions I have sent to number of museums in UK and in
NSW. I should be grateful for any answers to these questions  I have perused
the answers provided to date, but I should like something more in depth.

My questions were:

 1. Do you have a donation box and, if so, can you provide details
    (sketch or pix) of the design?
 2. Has it been successful?
 3. Do you receive bank notes as well as coins?
 4. Is it secure?
 5. Are you able to give me some figures on actual income received
    over a period?
 6. Where is it located in relation to the entrance/exit?

Many thanks in anticipation,
Desmond Kennard
Museums in the making

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