Title
Ermatinger House Operations Plan
Body
RECOMMENDED ACTION (Motion):
Staff recommend Commission review and discuss the proposed Ermatinger House Operations Plan.
BACKGROUND:
The Ermatinger House underwent a major restoration project which was completed in 2015. Extensive structural repairs and historical restoration were executed during this time. Additional interior construction was competed in spring 2017 which included drywall and paint projects. The house was opened for public tours for the weekend of June 23-24, 2017 as part of the Rose Festival sanctioned Oregon City Heritage Days event and was well received by the public.
Part of the restoration process of the Ermatinger House has included implementing a furnishing plan that was based on the home’s period of significance from 1843-1859. City owned items in storage that fit within the period of significance have been placed at the home. Additional significant furnishing donations have been obtained and placed as well. Staff are in the process of rounding out the furniture pieces, finalizing the interpretive displays and installing signage for the facility with a goal of opening the home on a regular basis by summer 2018.
City Commission’s adopted goals for the 2017-2019 Biennium include developing and implementing an operations and volunteer plan for the Ermatinger House. To meet this goal, staff have met regularly with representatives from the Friends of the Ermatinger House over the past year to discuss partnering opportunities for facility operations. Although the friend’s group supports the success of the Ermatinger House, they have recently notified the City that they do not have the capacity to take on operations and management of the site at this time. With this in mind, staff are recommending moving forward with a plan to hire a limited-term half-time employee to allow us to open the Ermatinger House to the public on limited hours. Funding for the position will be from currently a...
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