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“The mission of the Tri-State Museum is to collect, document, preserve and interpret the historic materials and ideas
from the early settlement of the Tri-State area, including the corners of South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming;
to tell the stories of the early settlers and preserve them for the next generations of this area,
and to share these materials and stories with our visitors.”
The Tri-State Museum depends a great deal on support from people just like you. If you are interested in helping our museum fulfill its mission, many options are available. Below are some ways you can help us preserve the important history of this region. Please contact the museum director at 605-723-1200 for more information.
VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME
Volunteers are the lifeblood of any museum, public or private. Without volunteers giving of their time, most museums would fail. Currently we have over 20 dedicated individuals who take time out of their busy schedules to assist with museum activities. These activities might include watching the front desk and greeting visitors, sending out informational mailings, calling donors and dusting displays. Other activities such as assisting in the planning and designing of exhibits, conducting guided tours and special programs can be done by volunteers. If you have ideas for projects or programs that you would enjoy seeing in the museum, please let us know. We are always open to new ideas.
DONATIONS OF ARTIFACTS
The Tri-State Museum has a vast array of artifacts in our collections. These range from historical photographs, genealogical data, guns, antiques, fossils, historical documents, and other items. We encourage residents of the Tri-State area or people who have in their possession artifacts from the Tri-State region to donate items to the collections. If you would like to donate an item, please contact Rochelle Silva or DeEtte Goss at 605-723-1200 or by email: tristatemuseum@rushmore.com. Please be aware that the museum does not provide appraisals on your donations.
DONATIONS OF FUNDS
In order to continue to develop the museum, its programs and our collections we actively look for creative ways to increase our revenues. It takes a great deal of money to curate and house the collections or sponsor educational programs and community activities. If you are interested in making a financial donation to the museum, several possibilities are available:
- Memorial Fund – The memorial fund is directly controlled by the City of Belle Fourche and the Museum Board. The fund consists of money collected from our donation box, direct donations from guests and monies generated through gift shop sales and special programs. These monies are typically used for general museum-related projects.
- Friends of the Museum Membership – This is a membership program entitling our Friends to certain privileges consisting of free or reduced admission to special events, a subscription to our quarterly newsletter, e-mail blasts to inform you of upcoming events and other significant news, invitations to exhibit openings, and a 10% discount in the gift shop. Monies generated through the Friends program go into the museum memorial fund. The annual cost for becoming a member of the “Friends” is $20 for an individual, $35 for a family, and $100 for a business.
- Tri-State Museum Foundation – The museum works closely with our 501(c)(3) not-for-profit foundation that holds its own events and annual fundraising banquet and auction. Monies donated to the foundation are tax deductible and go toward a capital campaign to raise revenue for a new addition to the museum, planned for 2012. Sponsors can buy an eight-person table for the event and receive publicity in return for $300. Individual tickets cost $25 each.
- Sponsor a Project Program – This program enables donors to specify exactly which exhibit or museum project they would like to sponsor. Often the donor receives credit in the form of a memorial plaque and/or press release. Recent donors have helped purchase new computer equipment, a big screen TV, and track lighting for the museum.
DONATIONS FOR SPECIAL EVENTS:
Many concerned individuals or local companies do not necessarily have the time to volunteer on a regular basis or the spare money to donate funds, but still find ways to help. Donations of food or catering for special events help complete our activities. Donations of talent through re-enactors, guest lecturers, programs, etc. help to recreate our history. Donations of supplies and equipment help streamline the curating and housing of collections. Donations of office equipment help us manage those collections. If you think you or your company can help with talent, materials, equipment, or supplies please call us at 605-723-1200.
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