(Dec. 22, 2016) Until this year, the Julia Purnell Museum has closed from the end of October until the beginning of April, but it will now remain open year round so it can offer services to schools and the town of Snow Hill.
Dr. Cindy Byrd, the museum’s executive director, said the move was budget neutral.
“In the past we’ve used this time to apply for grants, change exhibits and perform maintenance. We won’t be able to tear the museum apart all at once any more, but we want the facility to be more dynamic, and we want people to come and see it all the time,” she said.
Because staff is already on site, and the utilities are left on even when the museum is closed to preserve the artifacts contained within, Byrd said it wouldn’t cost the town any additional money to make the move.
“It’s budget neutral so guests are nothing but good for us,” Byrd said. “During the summer, we’re serving tourists, and in the winter we want to focus on locals. If we’re closed October through April, we miss most of the school year.”
Local students are a built-in audience for the museum. Snow Hill Elementary, Middle and High Schools, as well as Cedar Chapel and Worcester Technical High School are all within minutes of the Purnell museum.
“We’re making better use of the funds we have,” Byrd said. “By not being open, I feel like we’re leaving money on the table.
“We’re working just as many hours even if no guests were coming in. We’re paid to be here, the climate control is on — we just need to be open,” Byrd added.
With the move comes the possibility of another benefit. With the switch to year-round availability comes the possibility of a road sign directing traffic to the museum. The State Highway Administration has a program to identify and highlight sites like the Purnell museum, but the facility must be open for the entire year to qualify.
“We’re the town’s only cultural heritage tourism location. People who see the sign will know there’s something to see here,” Byrd said. “Bringing more people can only be good for Snow Hill.”
The sign isn’t a done deal, as the museum’s application has to be reviewed and evaluated by the SHA before a determination is made.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.
Dr. Cindy Byrd, the museum’s executive director, said the move was budget neutral.
“In the past we’ve used this time to apply for grants, change exhibits and perform maintenance. We won’t be able to tear the museum apart all at once any more, but we want the facility to be more dynamic, and we want people to come and see it all the time,” she said.
Because staff is already on site, and the utilities are left on even when the museum is closed to preserve the artifacts contained within, Byrd said it wouldn’t cost the town any additional money to make the move.
“It’s budget neutral so guests are nothing but good for us,” Byrd said. “During the summer, we’re serving tourists, and in the winter we want to focus on locals. If we’re closed October through April, we miss most of the school year.”
Local students are a built-in audience for the museum. Snow Hill Elementary, Middle and High Schools, as well as Cedar Chapel and Worcester Technical High School are all within minutes of the Purnell museum.
“We’re making better use of the funds we have,” Byrd said. “By not being open, I feel like we’re leaving money on the table.
“We’re working just as many hours even if no guests were coming in. We’re paid to be here, the climate control is on — we just need to be open,” Byrd added.
With the move comes the possibility of another benefit. With the switch to year-round availability comes the possibility of a road sign directing traffic to the museum. The State Highway Administration has a program to identify and highlight sites like the Purnell museum, but the facility must be open for the entire year to qualify.
“We’re the town’s only cultural heritage tourism location. People who see the sign will know there’s something to see here,” Byrd said. “Bringing more people can only be good for Snow Hill.”
The sign isn’t a done deal, as the museum’s application has to be reviewed and evaluated by the SHA before a determination is made.
The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1-4 p.m.