Seneca Co. Museum strives to stay open

Tonia Hoffert directs the operations of the Seneca County Museum. Ms. Hoffert is not paid for her work and encourages county residents to underwrite the costs of operating the museum, especially in light of the board of county commissioners' decision last year to withdraw financial support. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

TIFFIN -- Tonia Hoffert knows just what to tell people who are worried the Seneca County Museum will suffer the same fate as the county's 1884 courthouse:

Write a check. Join the Seneca County Historical Society. Volunteer. Get involved.

"If we can get through this first year -- the big hump -- I know we've got it made," said Ms. Hoffert, who as of Jan. 1 became the museum's "unpaid" director after years as a county employee paid to run the local history museum on Clay Street.

She said that if county residents care about the future of their museum, now is the time to step up and support it.

READ MORE: Seneca County Courthouse demolition

PHOTO GALLERY: Seneca County Courthouse demolition Jan. 26

Last May -- just six weeks after announcing the county could not afford to renovate the courthouse -- county commissioners said they wanted to get out of the museum business. Without any public discussion of the matter, they announced they intended to close the museum, sell the Greek Revival home that houses it, and liquidate its extensive collection.

Public outcry was immediate. Residents were outraged that county commissioners would consider selling family heirlooms, antiques, and local artifacts that had been donated to the museum for the education and enjoyment of the public.

They flooded the commissioners with petitions demanding the museum remain open, and the board ultimately agreed to lease the museum to the historical society. The only stipulation was that the county no longer would contribute funds to operate it.

Last year, the county spent about $42,000 for the director's salary, utilities, and insurance.

Mark Steinmetz, a trustee with the historical society, said the organization needs $15,000 to $17,000 to pay for utilities, insurance, and related expenses this year. The museum has no paid staff but relies entirely on volunteers to keep it running and to maintain the grounds, mow the lawn, and shovel the sidewalks.

Items from the time capsule unearthed at the Seneca County Courthouse are set on a table at the Seneca County Museum. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

"Our main goal is to keep it open, keep it vibrant, and keep it going as it has been," he said.

While about $2,000 in donations already have come in, including $1,000 from the Junior Order Home and $500 from the local AMVETS post, Ms. Hoffert said the historical society is discussing a number of ways to raise money for operations.

Plans include starting a Friends of the Museum group with varying membership levels, making presentations to service clubs and other organizations that have expressed an interest in helping out, holding antiques appraisal events, and planning fund-raising events that likely would begin with a gala premiere of an exhibit featuring items from the 1884 courthouse and the time capsule that was opened Jan. 12.

The historical society is in the process of preserving the documents, newspapers, and other items uncovered when the cornerstone was opened.

"People have been asking, 'Where's it at?' " Ms. Hoffert said of the time capsule. "It's here, but you can't just pick it up and handle it."

The museum also gets support from the nonprofit Seneca County Museum Foundation, although the foundation will not pay for operating costs at the museum, said Fran Fleet, vice president of its board. She said the foundation will continue to pay for special projects and purchases, such as repairing the carriage house doors or buying software to inventory the museum's collection.

Last summer, the foundation board submitted its own proposal to run the museum, but commissioners awarded the contract to the historical society in a 2-1 vote in September.

"I think by now the major concern is that we keep the museum open and intact, and we will work together to do that," Ms. Fleet said. "There are different roles, but the purpose is the same."

Two of the three county commissioners said that while the county is no longer spending general fund money on the museum, they want it to remain open.

Some residents fear the museum could suffer the same fate as the now-demolished county courthouse. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

"I'm not a historian. I don't have antiques. I prefer new, but you couldn't pry away from me the things my Dad left me," Commissioner Dave Sauber said. "I feel the same way about the museum."

Commissioner Ben Nutter said he believes it would be "disingenuous" to sell the artifacts donated to the museum though it needs to operate independently.

"I certainly think the museum is important. I think it's valuable, but I don't think it should be supported by general fund taxes," he said.

Commissioner Jeff Wagner, who said repeatedly that he wanted to sell the museum's assets, could not be reached for comment.

Ms. Hoffert said she's concerned that future county commissioners will decide to sell the museum, which remains county property. When people watching the courthouse demolition express those fears, she said, "I tell them, it could happen. If they get new commissioners who decide they don't want the museum, it could all happen again."

The Seneca County Museum, 28 Clay St., is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays year-round, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. the first and third Saturdays of the month from April to September.

Contact Jennifer Feehan at: jfeehan@theblade.com or 419-724-6129