Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
Discover the heartbeat of Juneau's cultural and community landscape with 'Capital Chat.' This series explores the vibrant world of the community, arts, and dynamic cultural and social events happening in Alaska's Capital City. Tune in to 'Capital Chat' for your essential guide to the pulse of our community, where every story is an adventure and every voice matters.
Joining me is Beth from the Juno Douglas city museum. Beth, good morning.
Speaker 2:Good morning.
Speaker 1:Welcome. Alright. Summer, what's happening at the museum?
Speaker 2:Well, we are, on a little bit different hours right now. We're open nine to 04:30, Monday through Friday, and ten to 04:30 on the weekends. So every day of the week, we're open. And, we are continuing with the exhibit Critter Trek, which we opened last month. So we'll have a first Friday again on Friday where we'll stay open till 06:00 and it'll be free between four and 6PM to come in, which does also indicate we've started charging.
Speaker 2:So if you are looking to have a pass or something like that for the summer to the museum, you can always become a Friends member, or we have passes for sale there as well.
Speaker 1:Can we talk a little bit about how the the the budget changes are gonna affect the museum? What do you expect to happen?
Speaker 2:Well, I don't know what to expect. But currently, what their what the finance committee has forwarded to the full assembly, which they will vote on their, budget presumably on the ninth, which is Monday, and that'll be the last day people can testify, is to cut half of the positions at the museum. Actually, it comes out to be more than half the position. So it's a $261,000 cut, which, you know, when you put together salaries and benefits and things like that is two positions. It's the director position, so my position, and the position that is the curative programs.
Speaker 2:So I would presume that if that moves forward and is is voted on, then things will significantly change at the museum as far as access by the by the community. Mhmm. I would see that the community would not have this much access, through open hours. There'd be no more programs, no more walking tours, no more pretty much anything other than perhaps a couple hours a week of of access.
Speaker 1:How are you feeling about that?
Speaker 2:Well, of course, I'm very worried for the museum. I think it's a wonderful, place and people have been reaching out to the assembly. If you have an opinion, that's what I encourage you to do by, emailing boroughassembly@juno.gov and let them know how you feel about that. I mean, the Juneau Douglas City Museum to me is the ambassador to Juneau, and we're the capital city. And you'll find a a city museum in most every small community, especially even in Alaska.
Speaker 2:You'll find it out in the Aleutians. You'll find it up in up north in all the small communities, Haines. And it's a very important part of how people get a sense of what this place is. And it's also the place where our community memories are stored and interpreted. We're a public trust, which means that all of the items that people have donated to the city museum have been entrusted to us.
Speaker 2:And while there's no longer the idea that there will be a closure and a divesting of of the collection, limiting the staff in this way and cutting the hours will certainly preclude will follow that that that this community won't have the access, and there won't be the the same amount of service provided. So
Speaker 1:If this is what, transpires on Monday, then what does that do for the, summer hours? How immediate would these cuts and changes kick in?
Speaker 2:Well, my understanding would be I don't know what what the new arrangement would be, obviously, and I wouldn't be up it wouldn't be up to me to decide since my job would be cut. But it would probably it would go into effect on July 1 because that's when the new budget would would begin.
Speaker 1:Right. Well, what a bittersweet conversation. And thank you for coming in and and not only supporting the the museum, but advocating for it and and being a a great ambassador for it as well. So, just room
Speaker 2:I do wanna just mention a couple things that are happening.
Speaker 1:Do it.
Speaker 2:While we can, the Evergreen Cemetery walking tour on Saturday, June 13 from one to three is still has spaces available. There's 15 spaces and you can call us to reserve a spot. Basically, that walking tour explores the stories, legends, and heritage on an unforgettable guided walk. Get to step back in time and pass through the beautiful arboretum that's now our Evergreen Cemetery. We have a wonderful history tour where you get to learn about all the different pioneers, either gold rush adventurers or notable residents who shaped the region.
Speaker 2:There's just a lot of really fascinating tales about people who are buried there.
Speaker 1:And Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's sometimes a little melancholy, but it's a very, you know, interesting place to learn about history. And it's good for anyone curious about that rich heritage. And afterwards, you get a 20% off discount at the museum store on select items. And it starts at the museum, and then you walk down to the Evergreen Cemetery. And then regardless of what happens, we're also we've also invited an author, Patrick Bringley.
Speaker 2:He wrote the book All the Beauty in the World. He was a guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for ten years. He'll be coming for a talk on July 10, and that will go on regardless out at the University of Alaska Southeast. It'll be it's sponsored by the Friends of the June and Douglas City museum. So we still have a couple little cards in our pocket we're gonna play here.
Speaker 2:We'll just wait to see what happens on Monday.
Speaker 1:Nice. Okay. Fingers crossed. Thanks for coming in this morning.
Speaker 2:And I do wanna say regardless of what happens, it's been an honor and a privilege to be the steward at the Juneau Douglas city museum for the last eight years and to work for the city and borough of Juneau for over fifteen years.
Speaker 1:Thank you for that, Beth.