Raleigh City Museum Agreements Approved

Jayne Kirkpatrick, Director, Public Affairs

Prepared by: Michael Williams, Assistant Director, Public Affairs

 

For more information: Troy Burton, Site Manager, 919-996-4772 or Ken Hisler, Recreation Superintendent, 919-996-4823.

 

June 19, 2012

 

Raleigh City Museum Agreements Approved

 

The Raleigh City Council today authorized the signing of two agreements affecting the operations of the Raleigh City Museum. The first is a five-year sub-lease that will retain the museum’s current space in the basement and first floor of the Briggs Hardware Building, 220 Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh. The lease, which is for $65,000 annually with a two percent annual increase, can be extended for up to 15 years.

 

The second agreement authorizes the City of Raleigh to assume responsibility for day-to-day operations of the museum. The non-profit currently operating the museum will transfer the exhibits, collections, and other assets of the museum to the City. The agreement establishes the ongoing relationship between the City and the Raleigh City Museum non-profit organization. The primary continuing function of the non-profit will be as a fundraising partner for the museum.

 

The museum will be operated as a division of the City of Raleigh within the City Parks and Recreation Department. The City will fund the operation of the museum. The current $172,500 total grant to the nonprofit will be discontinued. The Parks and Recreation Department will manage and conduct day-to-day operations of the museum and provide appropriate care for the collection and exhibits.

 

Funding for operation of the museum was included in the 2012-13 fiscal year budget approved by the Raleigh City Council on June 18.

 

The Raleigh City Museum opened its first exhibit in 1993 and is the only home for artifacts of the city and its people. Construction on the four-story Briggs Hardware Building began in 1872 and was completed in 1874. It is recognized as the only 19^th-century commercial building in Downtown Raleigh to survive virtually unchanged and is the City’s first “skyscraper.” For more information on the museum, visit www.raleighcitymuseum.org/.

 

For more information on the transition, visit www.raleighnc.gov and enter “Raleigh City Museum” in the search window, or call 919-996-4823.

 

 

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