Plans for converting historic buildings into Museums

[Lori Wysong]

Hello, 

My Museum is located in a town where the County is preparing to vacate the historic (NHL) courthouse about a block away from us and move court services elsewhere. 

Brainstorming about the future, many people have tossed around the idea of our Museum relocating in there. I think the county would be open to this possibility, but would want to see some sort of plan for how the building could feasibly be converted into a Museum.

I wonder if any of your sites have similar plans for converting historic structures into Museum you'd be willing to share. It's a difficult situation because I don't think our Museum could invest in any such plan for the purposes of a proposal unless it was certain we would be able to move into the Courthouse. 

I'm aware that there is a lot to consider (long-term building maintenance, etc.) but at this time we are merely exploring the possibility and trying to see if local government would be open to partnership. Any similar plans you could share would be much appreciated. 

Thank you, 

Lori Wysong

[Rhiannon Cizon]

Lori, I currently serve as the director for the Courthouse Square museum in Berrien Springs, MI, where we operate a museum inside the oldest county courthouse in Michigan.  Feel free to reach out to me via email or by phone (269-471-1202 office, 219-218-2769 cell) to chat. I am happy to walk  you through how we made it work and the current challenges we face.  I'd love to help!

~Rhiannon