Grant funding awarded to county museum

PLATTSBURGH | In operation since 1945, the Clinton County Historical Museum (CCHA) in Plattsburgh on the old "museum campus" base celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, simultaneously with the national women's suffrage centennial. Considered non-essential statewide, museums throughout the North Country have laid to rest most plans for 2020's significant history and heritage milestones. "We had the most incredible program scheduled for this year," shared CCHA Director Helen Nerska, referencing disappointment surrounding formerly planned presentations, some highlighting and overlapping with the Beekmantown Bicentennial. "But we can't have group events and that's what we're very good at." Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, the Clinton County Historical Museum on the Old Plattsburgh Oval Base has been building collections since 1945. Alina Walentowicz Though Nerska said there could still be hope for August's Bluff Point Lighthouse tour, which staff and volunteers facilitate each summer on Valcour Island near Peru, a final decision won't be made later in the season. For the time being, all other tours are canceled in accordance with state guidelines. Recent funding awards For volunteer-driven nonprofits, monetary support is key while waiting out these times of distancing. "There is help out there," said Nerska, in reference to museum funding opportunities. CCHA recently received a handful of grants, both local and national, including a Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) grant, allowing key collection management staff to remain on the books. Along with the executive board and trustees, the collections committee continues communications, with discussions surrounding the association's web presence. A recent $2,000 grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation will support website reconstruction, which was impacted by the pandemic. "This was a generous and much welcomed grant from an organization who consistently responds to and supports the needs of the museum community," announced a recent press release issued by the museum. Other initiatives include building improvements, such as replacing the front door, for which Assemblyman Billy Jones' nearby office provided a grant. CCHA's front lobby will also receive an update with new paint. With Phase 1, these projects went into full swing. "People are really doing their best to get us all through this — they are really trying," Nerska said of state leadership and local efforts. "Our museum and collections are stable," she continued. "We have great accountability with spending our money the way it needs to be spent, and I have no doubt we will see this through to the other side." Phase 4 preparations Nerska said the way museums operate will change moving forward. As standards progress, she recognized that docents—volunteers who guide visitors through exhibits and reference information—are at heightened risk. "Our state and other states are discussing how to let families in one-at-a-time," she said, in order to ensure distance can be maintained and not to jeopardize the health of employees, volunteers or visitors, who typically come from all over and the state and beyond, particularly to examine genealogy information. In the meantime, Nerska encourages individuals who find themselves with downtime during the pandemic to explore their family histories, and to reach out with questions. Online operations during offline Until the process of opening is on the table with the eventual potential for Phase 4, the museum has maintained regular exchanges among staff and volunteers via Zoom and Google Hangouts. The majority of current operations surround managing collections and research, which interested parties can still inquire about by calling the museum, as it maintains access to administrative productivity through two part-time employees. More information available at www.clintoncountyhistorical.org.

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