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Home My WebLink AboutAM Minutes:11/06/2024MUSEUM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, November 6, 2024 CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Angela Ayala called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Museum Education Center. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Chairperson Angela Ayala ROLL CALL —Chairperson ProTenlpora Jonokae Shinlnlin; Commissioners Virginia B|itz, Dale Corter, Marilyn Dokao; Director of Library and K8unaurn Services Darlene Brodkev, Library Services Manager Samantha Alba, Acting Curator Rebecca Andersen, and Museum Education Coordinator Lauren Porros. REPORTS FROM MUSEUM COMMISSION MEMBERS/LUAUSONS—CommissiorerOoleo motioned to move next Commission Meeting from VVedneodoy. January 1 to Wednesday, January 8, 2025, due to National Holiday. Commissioner Dale Carter seconded the motion. Commissioner Carter informed the Commission of his research investigating the original location of the Santa Anita Depot. Commissioner Carter has found some inconsistencies in documentation and Director Bradley suggested visiting the History Room at the Library. Commissioner Daleo also informed the Commission of the restoration efforts that are taking place at the Arcadia \8honnen'a Club. They are working on fundraising $90,000 for this remodel. REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR Director Bradley reported that they are currently in the sffoda to recruit Library Aides and are in the interview stages of several candidates. Director Bradley also reported that there is another building that is in the process of becoming a Historic Building in Arcadia. It is a Nautra House located on Oak Wood Or. This will baAroadia'o second Historic Building following theVVornen'm Club. Lastly, Director Bradley informed the Commission that Sharon Kwan is the new City Council Liaison for the yWuaeunl Commission. REPORT FROM THE CURATOR Standing Curator Andersen shared the highlights of the Museum, which included the seasonal Preschool Program which began on September 6 until November 8. The Military Banner Project for2U24 has concluded, with 84 banners to be displayed along Huntington Drive. AnnGnaph printed the banners, and installation began on November 1- 2. A ceremony to unveil the banners, featuring Mayor Dr. Michael Coo and retired City Clerk Mr. Gene G|mmco, is scheduled for November 0. Lastly, our Curator Gtavy Acevedo has returned from leave and has been banaiboningback into her position. ` Andersen also shared that Volunteer Deborah Cbpdano has been essential bothe Museum's Military Banner Program, assisting veterans and coordinating the November unveiling event. Interns Zackary Ostrowski and Andrew Bermudez are contributing to the Museum's database by adding photographs and researching family collections, while K8m. Oatrowohi is also pursuing graduate studies. Volunteers like A|ich Diaz and Azo,iah Towns assist with digitizing donations or supporting the Preschool Program. Recent donations include a Santa Anita Depot painting, a brick from Lucky Bo|dvvin'n 1888 brick yard, family photographs from the Joyce Best Saunders ooUeotion, and historical deeds signed by Anita Baldwin from the Arcadia Historical Society. Curator Andersen and Education Coordinator Ponmn are collaborating on otemporary exhibit about local history and cultures, set to be displayed at the Arcadia Public Library from November to Deoember, which will also highlight Educational Kits and Museum Programs. Current exhibits at City HoU. Council Chambers, and the Museum's temporary space continue to be on display, including Vintage Hollywood at Santa Anita and the SOth Anniversary o{Santa Anita Racetrack. In administration, Education Coordinator Porraa introduced herself at the Arcadia PTA meeting in September and shared ongoing programs like the Preschool Program and school visits. The Friends of the Arcadia Museum raised over $14.000 for m now display case for the Veterans History Room and will present the funds to the City Council on afuture dote. AdditionaUy, staff completed training in genealogy research and workplace professionalism. Lastly, Public VVorha repaired the Peacock Fountain basin in the Arcadia County Park, n||ovvinQ 8i|ver|mke Conservation to continue tile restoration this winter. REPORT FROM MUSEUM EDUCATION COORDINATOR Coordinator Ponae shared that the yWueeunn has appointed K8n. Jaine Tonnon as the Fall Education and Public Engagement |nbarn, vvhmve she has taken on a leadership no|a in the Preschool Program, guiding sessions and assisting with other educational activities including Girl Scout Programs and school visits. The Fall 2024 Preschool Program, which began on September O. includes avmhatv of lessons and activities for pneachoo|ern, with an average of15attendees each week. Acting Curator Rebecca Andersen and Education Coordinator Pornao also participated in community mvente, such as the Moon Foativa|, vxhena they distributed 50 educational kitn, and continued to provide popular Heritage Educational Kits, including 200 Hispanic Heritage Kits distributed in September. The Museum's Preservation Workshop Series, which included topics like paper preservation, photographs, and digitization, engaged community members, with the next workshop ongenealogy scheduled for December. Pornaoalso shared that the Museum has 1Sschool programs scheduled for the 2O24-2O25school year, including the TonQVm Storytelling and Then vs. Now p/oQrmnna, with three programs completed at Hugo Reid Elementary School. Scout programs are ongoing, with three programs already conducted, reaching 32 troops. On October 24. the K8unmunn hosted Pie Day for City employees, attracting 65 attendees. On October 25, staff and volunteers participated in the Downtown Arcadia Halloween Haunting event, offering educational kits and promotional materials. The Museum is actively promoting its events, exhibits, and educational kits across all social media platforms, with Education Coordinator Porras overseeing a social media schedule and focusing on Instagram Reels to raise awareness of free programs. The Museum's MailChimp newsletter has become increasingly popular, with weekly sign-ups to keep the community informed about upcoming events, programs, and collection highlights. Volunteer engagement remains strong, with five new teen volunteers added to the team in September, and applications for new volunteers accepted until November 15. Volunteers have been busy producing kits for upcoming programs, including Preservation Workshop kits and goodie bags for school visits, as well as preparing supplies for the International Holidays Educational Kit, that will be available starting November 26. Lastly, Coordinator Porras shared that the Museum has applied for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, recognizing five teen volunteers who dedicated over 100 hours of service this year, earning certificates and crewneck sweaters. Volunteers are also preparing for the December "Make Your Own Snow Globe" event, with over 450 snow globes being created for the community. Additionally, volunteers have completed 400 unique snowman giveaways, each decorated by hand, funded by the Friends of the Arcadia Museum. These efforts highlight the Museum's strong volunteer program and its ongoing commitment to engaging the community through hands-on educational activities. CONSENT CALENDAR: a. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of September 4, 2024. Recommended action: Approve b. Approval of the minutes of July 3, 2024, will commence at the next Commission meeting of 2025. c. Approval to move the Regular Meeting of January 1, 2025 to be held on January 8, 2025 due to national holiday on January 1, 2025. Recommended action: Approve ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Angela Ayala adjourned the meeting at 5:35 p.m. to Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in the Museum Education Center at 382 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia. Approved: Darlene Bradley, Director of Library and Museum Services Prepared by: Lauren Porras, Museum Education Coordinator