Become A Museum Supporter
- Museum Renovation & Expansion Plans
- Funding Opportunities
- Join the $1000 Club
- Become a Museum Member
- Stocks and Bonds Transfer
- Other Ways to Help
Future of the Museum: Museum Renovation & Expansion Plans
Currently faced with space, climate-control, preservation, and access challenges, the museum has determined that the solution to these problems is to renovate the existing facility as well as expand.
The plan organizes the building project into two manageable phases: renovation of the existing museum facility comprised of six homestead cabins, and the construction of a new 1,861 sq. ft., ADA-compliant addition that contains administrative, exhibit preparation, collection storage and restroom spaces.
Moving the support functions into a new addition will allow the historic log cabins to be utilized specifically for exhibition and interpretive activities. Five of the cabins will continue to contain exhibits, while the sixth cabin (previously used for storage) will be converted into a public research space.
By moving the curator’s office and collection storage into the new addition, a central hall can be created in their place that is ADA accessible. Opening this central area will expose more features of the historic cabins, thereby helping to better interpret their architectural significance.
Rotating temporary exhibits incorporating artifacts too large to be displayed in the small cabins can also be installed in this hall, as well as tour group orientations, demonstrations, presentations and public meetings can take place here.
We need your help! To learn more about this project, or to contribute in-kind or monetary support, please contact the OIHM Director at 360/376-4849.
Funding Opportunities
Help the Orcas Island Historical Museum in its efforts to preserve and share the diverse history of Orcas Island by sending a cash donation to OIHM, P.O. Box 134, Eastsound, WA 98245. Our areas of greatest financial need are:
~ The Building Renovation & Expansion Project/Capital Campaign~ The Endowment Fund
~ General Operations
~ Educational Programming
The Orcas Island Historical Museum is a non-profit organization formed under the laws of Washington State and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as having 501(c)(3) status. Your contribution is therefore considered tax-deductible.
Join the $1000 Club
As the conservator of the island's past, the Orcas Island Historical Society continues in its mission to preserve the memories of our unique island home and educate our children in the importance of the past. We are however reaching a critical point in our endeavor to enhance our Museum and get started on building the support addition to the existing facility.
Now is the time we are asking museum supporters to take the step and pledge an investment in the future of your Museum. One of the easiest ways to contribute is by joining our Thousand Dollar Club. For $1.00 a day over three years, you can join the Club with recognition on our donor wall. We urge you to join in our effort to preserve our Museum now and make a pledge.
If you have any questions about the project, or wish a private tour of the facility during the winter, please don't hesitate to give us a call and we will schedule one. Thanks for your interest in the Orcas Island Historical Museum.
--DOWNLOAD A PLEDGE FORM (.pdf)--
Join Us! Become a Museum Member
Besides visiting us, we also invite you to become a museum member! Membership benefits include quarterly newsletters, free admission to OIHM, the San Juan Historical Museum and the Lopez Island Historical Museum, discounts on museum merchandise, and invitations to special events for one year. In exchange, your dues help the organization preserve and share the island’s heritage. Please send your membership dues to OIHM, P.O. Box 134, Eastsound, WA 98245
Senior/Student: $10.00
Individual: $15.00
Family: $25.00
Business/Organization: $25.00
Sponsor: $50.00
Benefactor/Individual or Business: $100.00
--DOWNLOAD A MEMBERSHIP FORM (.pdf)--
Stocks and Bonds Transfer
Thank you for considering the transfer of stocks and bonds to the Orcas Island Historical Museum. This is an excellent way to support the museum. It not only gives you the donor the charitable donation but will help you avoid Capital Gains Tax on the appreciation of your stock or bond.
Please advise your broker to transfer stocks or bonds to:
Sam Coleman, Jr.
Paine Webber
Orcas Island Historical Museum - Account # W I 14986
700 5th Avenue, Suite 5400
Seattle, WA 98104-9783
(206) 628-8542
Paine Webber will advise the value of the stock or bond on the date received for tax deduction purposes. The Orcas Island Historical Society will send you an acknowledgement letter for tax purposes. The Orcas Island Historical Society Federal Tax Identification number is 91-6054959.
If you have any questions please call the Museum office at 360 376-4849 or contact:
Barry Madan, OIHM Treasurer 360 376-8861
Kathy Collister, OIHM President 360 376-5358
If you are interested in establishing a stock or bond transfer to be included in your Will please call Barry or Kathy so we may help facilitate these instructions to your attorney.
Other Ways to Help ~ Merit Telecom
Merit Telecom is a nonprofit corporation that provides mobile cellular and long distance telephone services to residential & business customers. This corporation donates 100% of its profits (from 8 to 32 percent of your bill) to the nonprofit or charity of your choice.
Thanks to Merit Telecom, the Orcas Island Historical Museum has been receiving regular contributions since 2003. And it adds up. For every 100 people that sign up, the Museum will typically receive over $10,000 per year in support from Merit Telecom. We encourage browsers to visit Merit Telecom at www.MeritTelecom.org to learn more about this exciting opportunity and to enroll as a new customer!
