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53 °F 5 Day Forecast Monday, October 20, 2003 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | eSouthernOregon | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend October 6, 2003 Historical Society will recruit members, start fund raising By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune After negotiating a temporary financial reprieve recently, the Southern Oregon Historical Society has begun an aggressive campaign to make sure it survives into the future. With funding from Jackson County only assured for the next four years, the society doesn’t expect one revenue source to plug this potential $1 million revenue gap. "There is no magic bullet in this whole thing," said SOHS Executive Director John Enders. "We are looking for thousands of people in Southern Oregon who will come forward and help us in any way they can." While the society hopes to increase the educational and entertainment value of such places as Hanley Farm, Enders said the main goal is to promote the history of Jackson County. Advertisement "We are not going to turn the historical society into Disneyland," he said. An agreement with the county gives the historical society $1,050,000 for this fiscal year; $996,000 for 2004-05; $871,000 for 2005-06; and $741,000 for 2006-07. Enders said the society hopes to receive some funding from the county after the four years are up, saying it would be difficult to replace the entire $1 million in four years. "That would be a really ambitious goal," he said. Richard Seidman, SOHS development coordinator, said the society will hold a strategic planning meeting in the middle of November to set long-range goals. "It’s an especially challenging time to be raising money," he said. "Major donors have been hurt in the stock market. Corporate giving has shrunk significantly." Seidman said the society will pursue a number of options that will put it on a more financially stable path. One of the top priorities is to reopen Hanley Farm and the Beekman House next year. There will be more effort to encourage people interested in the society to leave estates or properties, he said. Recently the society received $7,000 in grants to support the "Hands-On History" schools program. More of these types of grants will be applied for in the future, said Seidman. In the short term, Seidman said the society hopes to raise $35,000 by next June through a membership campaign. Fees for an individual now costs $35, compared to $20 previously. For a family, it has increased from $30 to $50. By next June, the society hopes to boost its membership from 1,600 to 2,100. A master plan for Hanley Farm is being reviewed with the hopes of turning this attraction into revenue-generating operation that will offer visitors an entertaining venue while maintaining the historical and educational context. Enders said 600 people showed up at a recent event at Hanley Farm, generating $7,000. The society might end up selling its current building on Central Avenue, which could fetch for more than $1 million and establish the beginnings of an endowment fund. Enders said the society is negotiating with the city of Medford on a proposal to move into the old Carnegie Library building, which will be vacated at the end of the year. The building is about half as big as the society’s current location, Enders said. He doesn’t foresee the need for more staff reductions. "We will continue to streamline our operations and do more with less," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times