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Home My WebLink AboutAM Agenda: 09/01/2021CITY OF ARCADIA Arcadia Museum Commission Regular Meeting Agenda Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021 5:00 p.m. Location: Museum Education Center, 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with a disability who require a disability related modification or accommodation in order to participate in a meeting, including auxiliary aids or services, may request such modification or accommodation from the Museum at (626) 574-5468. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to the meeting. 根据《美国残障人法案》，需要调整或提供便利设施才能参加会议的残障人士（包括辅助器材或服务）可与市书记官办公室联系（电话：626-574-5468）。请在会前 48 小时通知市书记官办公室，以便作出合理安排，确保顺利参加会议。 Pursuant to the City of Arcadia’s Language Access Services Policy, limited-English proficient speakers who require translation services in order to participate in a meeting may request the use of a volunteer or professional translator by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 574-5455 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. 根据阿凯迪亚市的语言便利服务政策，英语能力有限并需要翻译服务才能参加会议的人可与市书记官办公室联系（电话： 626-574-5455），请求提供志愿或专业翻译服务，请至少在会前 72 小时提出请求。 CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL OF MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS: Jeanne Roy, Chairperson Virginia Blitz, Chairperson Pro Tempore Billie Tone, Commissioner Dale Carter, Commissioner Angela Ayala, Commissioner PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual wishing to speak before the Museum Commission is limited to five (5) minutes per person, unless waived by the Museum Commission. Under the Brown Act, the Museum Commission is prohibited from discussing or taking action on any item not listed on the posted agenda. The matter may automatically be referred to staff for appropriate response or action or may be placed on the agenda of a future meeting. REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS / LIAISONS Announcements / Statements / Future Agenda Items DIRECTOR REPORTS Announcements / Statements / Reports a. Director’s Update b. Re-opening/Covid-19 Update Any writings or documents provided to a majority of the Museum Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection at the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage located at 380 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California, during normal business hours. c. Curator’s Report and Updates d. Museum Education Coordinator’s Update e. Grants f. Interns and Volunteers g. Programs h. Exhibits i. Collections j. Flyers  20th Anniversary Celebration CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and can be acted on by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Museum Commission, staff, or the public requests that a specific item be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action. a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of July 7, 2021 Recommended action: Approve ADJOURNMENT The Museum Commission will adjourn this meeting to Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Museum Education Center at 382 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia. 1 The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage Museum Curator’s Report July-August 2021 Virtual Visitors to the Museum for July: 19,737 Facebook: 5,211 Instagram: 3,732 Twitter: 10,100 Website: 578 Virtual Programs:116 Visitors to Museum: 110 Virtual Visitors to the Museum for August 1-12: 8,611 Facebook:1,899 Instagram: 1,563 Twitter: 4,819 Website: 330 Visitors to Museum: 38 HIGHLIGHTS The 3rd Annual Virtual Summer Enrichment Program was a success with 376 educational kits distributed. The Museum is planning for its 20th Anniversary Celebration in October. EXHIBITS Intern Ms. Michele Huizar has completed constructing the Santa Anita Japanese Assembly Center kiosk, showcasing the history of the Japanese Assembly Center at the Santa Anita Park during World War II. Curator Stevy Acevedo and Intern Huizar have installed the kiosk in the permanent exhibit space. Museum guests can now interact with the kiosk and learn more about what happened during World War II which affected 120,000 Japanese Americans in the United States. Curator Acevedo has begun to construct the Gilb Museum’s 20th Anniversary Exhibit, which takes place this year in October. The Curator has been working with Intern Michele Huizar and Intern Ms. Rebecca Andersen in looking at items in the collection to highlight in the exhibit. Items showcased include the shovel used for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Museum. Curator Acevedo and Interns Andersen and Huizar curated and installed the Arcadia Fire Department exhibit in upper City Hall in August. The exhibit will highlight the history of the Arcadia Fire Department and several artifacts in the Museum’s collection. COLLECTIONS Curator Acevedo and several museum volunteers have finished photographing the Anthony W. Wilkinson Collection consisting of letters and postcards. Over 3,000 photographs and scans were completed for the digitization of this project. The letters and postcards continue to be uploaded to FromThePage to have virtual volunteers in the community help the Museum transcribe them. Since the beginning of this project in January 2021, there have been 1,224 pages transcribed from 69 collaborators and 6,266 hours and 30 minutes to this project. https://fromthepage.com/gilbmuseum/anthony-w-wilkinson-letter-collection 2 Curator Acevedo continues to work with Master of Library Science Intern Ms. Tola Livesey who received academic credit from the University of Illinois. Intern Livesey worked on the organization, digitization, and curation of the Gilb Museum’s Archive, specifically the City of Arcadia Newsletters. Volunteer Ms. Deborah Cordano continues to assist with the digitization of the Camp Santa Anita Letter Collection. The collection consists of approximately 190 letters written to and from Private Robert Beck during his time stationed at Camp Santa Anita during World War II. Once the digitization of the letters is complete, Ms. Cordano will assist Curator Acevedo in the transcription of the letters. The Museum also has a new volunteer, Ms. Alondra Bribiesca who is a recent Anthropology graduate from California State Polytechnic University of Pomona. Ms. Bribiesca is helping with the digitization and inventory of the Museum’s photograph collection. An inventory of all items donated during this time period:  Barbara Kovacic, on behalf of Shirley J. Cherniack, donated a box of JPL memorabilia that belonged to Ms. Cherniack’s late husband.  Arcadia Fire Department donated Fire Department tools.  Terri Weeks donated a series of newspaper clippings she collected during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021; and a copy of the Altrusa Yearbook of 1992-1993.  Christine Santana donated a 1926 American Legion Post 247 bell and Charter Declaration.  Carole Cramer donated a Los Angeles Times Midwinter magazine from 1954.  Rosalie Mandala donated the Grand Opening Program from Foothill Junior High.  City Manager’s Office donated binders containing past City Newsletters and Hot Sheets. EDUCATION and PROGRAMMING Museum Education Coordinator Brittani Alberto finished conducting the month-long Virtual Summer Enrichment Program. This program included the distribution of four different kits that corresponded with four different virtual programs for every week in the month of July. Each of the four programs explored a different era in Arcadia history, from the age of the dinosaurs to the present day. In all, the Gilb Museum distributed just under 400 kits in a single month, and conducted virtual programs seen by over 100 people. The Gilb Museum has continued to provide free local history educational kits every month for the year 2021. In the month of August, Ms. Alberto distributed the Music Makers and Shakers educational kit, which included the necessary items to create harmonicas and tambourines. It also included a short history lesson surrounding Tony Antista, the person who wrote the Arcadia High School fight song. The Gilb Museum also distributed 100 Archaeology and Paleontology kits at the City’s two Concerts at the Park. So far in the year 2021, the Gilb Museum has distributed over 1,000 kits. The Senior Services Department at the Community Center asked the Museum to participate in a partnership providing a monthly presentation to Arcadia Seniors. The Museum plans to host a three-part Baldwin series during the Fall, exploring Lucky Baldwin (September 10), Anita Baldwin (October 8), and Clara Baldwin Stocker (November 5). ADMINISTRATION Curator Acevedo continues to work with Intern Rebecca Andersen on the Cataloging California grant from the California State Library that is helping fund a paid internship to work on the 3 Anthony Wilkinson Collection. Intern Andersen is currently finishing the inventory of the collection and curating the letters and postcards. The Museum was awarded the Getty Marrow Multicultural Undergraduate Internship grant for two internships at the Gilb Museum during the summer: a Curation and Collections internship and an Education and Marketing internship. Michele Huizar was awarded the Curation and Collections Internship, where she inventoried, photographed, and curated artifacts in the Museum's collection. She also created the Santa Anita Japanese Assembly Center kiosk for the Museum’s permanent exhibit. She has been working closely with Curator Acevedo in exhibit installation as well. Kimberly Vinoray was awarded the Education and Marketing internship where she worked closely with Museum Education Coordinator Alberto on developing the lesson plans and kits for the Summer Enrichment Programs. Ms. Vinoray is also creating new educational kits and lesson plans that teachers from Arcadia Unified School district can utilize. The Friends of the Arcadia Museum did not have a meeting during the month of July. The Friends conducted their board meeting in-person for the month of August in the Museum Education Center. Museum Staff discussed with the Board members what they wish to do for the 20th Anniversary of the Museum. They will be working with the Museum Staff in creating a program for October 16. The Friends of the Museum Board also continued to discuss ideas for their next fundraiser. Their next meeting will take place on September 2. Curator Acevedo and Librarian Yvonne Ng visited the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Library in Arcadia. During their visit, Curator Acevedo and Librarian Ng were given a tour by Association President Ada Gates Patton and Vivian Montoya, the Librarian and Receptionist. Staff was able to learn more about what they have in their collection, including artwork, photographs, and trophies, and about horse racing at Santa Anita Park and throughout California. Curator Acevedo and Interns Ms. Andersen, Ms. Huizar and Ms. Vinoray attended the Arcadia Woman’s Club event celebrating the Clubhouse’s 90th Anniversary. Items on display at the event were loaned from the Museum to Ms. Marilyn Daleo, member of the Arcadia Woman’s Club, to use for the event. MARKETING Ms. Alberto remains dedicated to growing the Museum’s audience across social media. She has begun posting #MusMeme posts to attract younger audiences. Ms. Alberto also created a campaign for National Intern Day, featuring the Museum’s Getty interns Ms. Huizar and Ms. Vinoray, Ms. Andersen, Ms. Livesey, and the Museum’s teen oral history interns. The Museum continues to send their monthly newsletter to subscribers via Mailchimp. The Museum promotes its virtual programs and exhibits, as well as future events. Community members can subscribe to the newsletter on the Museum’s website main page. As of now, the Museum has 312 subscribers to the newsletter. A new Curator’s Corner video was made in relation to National Intern Day, and featured the Museum’s two current Getty interns, Kimberly Vinoray and Michele Huizar. 4 VOLUNTEERS and INTERNS The Gilb Museum currently has 36 volunteers, including both teens and adults. For the months of July and August, volunteers helped to create kits for the Museum’s Summer Enrichment Program. Many of the teens have also been trained to scan books and documents, create inventories, and answer the phone. Museum Education Coordinator Alberto has also created a Front Desk Volunteer/Docent position, where volunteers would staff the front desk in 3-hour shifts. These volunteers have been very helpful in answering general questions, helping with the Museum’s opening and closing procedures, and distributing educational kits. Front desk volunteers also help complete other projects, such as scanning documents. The Museum currently has six front desk volunteers. Volunteer Jonathan Ornelas is currently working on the newly acquired JPL collection, donated by Barbara Kovacic on behalf of Ms. Shirley J. Cherniack. He is acquisitioning the collection and creating an inventory. The teen internship for the “Faces of Arcadia” Oral History Project continues to go well. The teen internship consists of eight teens that have previously been teen volunteers at the Museum. Staff continues to conduct workshops and meetings to see their progress, answer any questions, and prepare the interns with their oral interviews. Each intern is currently working on their fifth interview with members of the Arcadia Community. Anyone interested in the project can visit the Museum’s website for more information. Volunteer hours: July 6- August 14: 793.56 hours Submitted by Curator Stevy Acevedo and Director of Library & Museum Services, Darlene Bradley 20th Anniversary Celebration O C T O B E R 6 , 2 0 2 1 | 1 0 A M - 1 2 P M J O I N T H E G I L B M U S E U M F O R I T S O c t o b e r 2 0 2 1 m a r k s 2 0 y e a r s o f t h e G i l b M u s e u m b e i n g p a r t o f t h e A r c a d i a c o m m u n i t y . C e l e b r a t e t h e l e g a c y o f t h e G i l b M u s e u m t h r o u g h e n j o y i n g t h e n e w 2 0 t h A n n i v e r s a r y e x h i b i t , t a k i n g a g u i d e d t o u r t h r o u g h t h e M u s e u m , a n d g e t t i n g a b e h i n d -t h e -s c e n e s l o o k a t t h e M u s e u m 's c o l l e c t i o n s ! T H E G I L B M U S E U M O F A R C A D I A H E R I T A G E 3 8 0 W . H U N T I N G T O N D R I V E A R C A D I A , C A 9 1 0 0 7 M U S E U M @ A R C A D I A C A .G O V 6 2 6 .5 7 4 .5 4 4 0 / W W W .A R C A D I A C A .G O V /M U S E U M MUSEUM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, July 7, 2021 CALL TO ORDER – Chair Jeanne Roy called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m. in the Floretta K. Lauber Museum Education Center PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chair Jeanne Roy ROLL CALL: Chair Jeanne Roy; Commissioners Dale Carter, Billie Tone, Virginia Blitz; City Council Liaison April Verlato; Director of Library & Museum Services Darlene Bradley; Library Services Manager Pat Smith; Curator Stevy Acevedo; Museum Education Coordinator Brittani Alberto Election of Officers and Appointment of Liaisons: a. Chairperson: Commissioner Roy brought forth the election of officers asking for any nominations for Chairperson for 2021-2022. Commissioner Tone nominated Commissioner Roy as Chairperson of the Museum Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Blitz and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Commissioners Carter, Blitz, Tone NOES: None ABSENT: None b. Chairperson Pro Tempore: Commissioner Tone nominated Commissioner Blitz as Chair Pro Tempore of the Museum Commission for 2021-2022. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Carter and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Commissioners Roy, Carter, Tone NOES: None ABSENT: None c. Liaison to the Friends of the Museum: Commissioner Roy nominated Commissioner Blitz to be the Liaison to the Friends of the Museum for 2021-2022. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Carter and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Commissioners Blitz, Carter, Roy NOES: None ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: No public comments were made REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS / LIAISONS Council Liaison Verlato reported that Angela Ayala was appointed as the new Museum Commissioner. The previous Saturday, the Patriotic Reverse Parade took place in Downtown Arcadia. Signage for the anti-camping ordinance was also discussed at the previous City Council meeting. Signage will go up in the fall. A Citizens Committee for charter review will be formed. Changes to the City’s charter will go before the public. Council also recommends banning styrofoam take-out containers, and plastic utensils will only be provided upon request. REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR: Darlene Bradley attended the grand opening of Le Meridien Hotel which has officially open. A William Parker Lyons Pony Express Museum History Lives Here sign was erected on the Le Meridien’s property. A statue of Anita Baldwin will be unveiled in September and a new Arcadia History Lives Here sign on Anita Baldwin will also be installed at the same time. In partnership with the Arcadia Historical Society, the Museum pays for one-half the cost of the History Lives Here signs. July marked the start of a new fiscal budget. The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage officially opened to the public on Tuesday, July 6. The Arcadia Public Library is hiring and recruiting for 11 positions. Director Bradley also noted that in-person programming is not yet taking place. REPORT FROM THE CURATOR: Curator Acevedo reported the Arcadia Chinese Association exhibit is now on display in the Museum lobby. New digital television screens have been added to the exhibit spaces, expanding access to the collections. A new slideshow for the Arcadia in the Movies exhibit and a new Arcadia Women of Arcadia exhibit is now on display. She is currently researching and planning for the Gilb Museum’s 20th Anniversary exhibit and possible open house, taking place on October 16. She continues to photograph the Anthony W. Wilkinson Collection so volunteers can continue transcribing the postcard collection. Ms. Acevedo also informed the Commission that the Gilb Museum was the recipient of a grant that provides two Getty interns for the Museum. The Museum staff welcomed interns Michele Huizar and Kimberly Vinoray this summer. Museum staff also assisted the Friends of the Museum with compiling photos and information for the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Centennial booklet. The NBC show Good Girls was filmed May 5-7 at the Gilb Museum and at the Community Center for its Season 4. A donation of $5,000 was received from Good Girls that will directly benefit the Museum with archival supplies. Ms. Acevedo coordinated a talk on the Movies Filmed in Arcadia for the Community Center’s Senior Services Department. She also created two new Curator’s Corner videos. One was on American Legion Arcadia Post 247, which celebrated its centennial this year, and the other was the Arcadia Women’s Club Building, which celebrated 90 years this year. REPORT FROM THE MUSEUM EDUCATION COORDINATOR: Museum Education Coordinator Brittani Alberto informed the Commission that she conducted 21 school programs during the 2020-2021 school year. She also continued to provide free educational kits to community members, exploring topics such as peacocks and local plants. Ms. Alberto also scheduled Girl Scout Programs with troop 71181 every month through July. Museum staff also had two unpaid interns from January to May. Ms. Acevedo worked with intern Angela Song, who was interested in learning more about grant writing, and Ms. Alberto worked with Hanita Le, who helped with educational programming, kit design, and Girl Scout programs. The Gilb Museum has begun recruiting volunteers. New volunteers attended a mandatory Volunteer Orientation, and in-person volunteering resumed as of June 6. Ms. Alberto also started a new teen intern for the Faces of Arcadia Oral History Project, which consists of eight teens who had previously been volunteers at the Gilb Museum. They have each conducted two interviews so far and will continue to do so until October. From May 1 to June 18 volunteers completed 241.15 hours. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Revised Regular Meeting Minutes of March 3, 2021 Recommended action: Approve Commissioner Carter moved to approve Consent Calendar Item “a”, which was seconded by Commission Member Tone, and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Chair Roy; Commissioners Carter, Tone & Blitz NOES: None b. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2021 Recommended action: Approve Commissioner Carter moved to approve Consent Calendar Item “b”, which was seconded by Commission Member Tone, and carried on a voice vote. AYES: Chair Roy; Commissioners Carter, Tone & Blitz NOES: None ADJOURNMENT Chair Roy adjourned the meeting at 6:05 p.m. to Wednesday, September 1, 2021 in the Museum Education Center, 382 W. Huntington Dr., Arcadia. Darlene Bradley, Director of Library and Museum Services Prepared by Brittani Alberto, Museum Education Coordinator