The Norwalk Museum is an asset to the city. It should be operated like on. But with the continued absence of a the city employee designated as the museum curator, the situation clearly has deteriorated to a point where a new strategy needs to be enacted. The new way, is actually the old way or the best practice way, which has been something documented by the American Association of Small Museums. The American Association of Small museum’s web site is a good resource.
It’s time that either the city take seriously the process for creating accredited museums of its properties or concede that responsibility to outside groups that can. But the current system hasn’t worked.
From The Hour:
“We’re asking to codify the relationship that has existed for 35 years and worked up until (former museum Curator Ralph) Bloom retired and the structural dysfunction was really writ large,” said Friends President Scott Gibson. “This would be more of an operating agreement.”
Afterward, Gibson submitted to the Land Use Committee a letter, explaining the Friends’ formation in 1972, its non-profit status, its council-approved presence in the museum, and its request to “enter into an agreement with the City of Norwalk formalizing the existing relationship of 35 years in which the FNM has operated, funded and been responsible for the NM on a daily basis.” Gibson said arrangement would be similar to how the Norwalk Historical Society operates Mill Hill Historic Park or how the Lockwood-Matthews Mansion board of directors runs the mansion.
The request comes five months into the leave-of-absence of Norwalk Museum Curator Susan Gunn. Some members of the Norwalk Historical Commission — the body that has jurisdiction over the museum at 41 North Main St. — believe the curator’s absence is endangering the building and its collections.
source: The Hour, Non-profit group asks to take over museum operation, By ROBERT KOCH, May 18, 2007
