Museum curator Eunice Davidson admits she was a little disappointed that a mill levy request didn't pass in the recent election, but she hasn't given up hope.
“I don't think we got the word out — especially up north,” she said. “Some people don't know we exist — a lot of people in Devils Lake don't even know what we do.”
She said after last week's election the museum board analyzed voter precinct maps and determined it was the voters in the northern part of the county that voted against the measure. If passed, the measure would have helped defray the expense of carrying on historical work in Ramsey County — a boost that is much needed across the state.
“It's really sad, there's no money out there,” Davidson said. “Some places have closed for the summer.”
Davidson said she visits regularly with other museum directors and they brainstorm ways to raise money and often share funding information from government programs.
The most important thing she has learned, Davidson said, is to keep trying. She said the director of the Valley City Museum told her it took a long time for their mill levy to pass — but it was worth the wait.
“He said 'Dont give up,'” she recalled. “'The sixth time was a charm for us.'”
Davidson said the board is planning “meet and greet” events in area townships to introduce themselves and explain what services the museum offers. They will try again to pass a .50 mill levy increase in the November election.
Until then, Davidson noted, they will just keep doing what they've been doing and raise money however they can.
“During the Chamber Fishing Tournament we'll be selling hot dogs and barbecues,” she said, “and we are planning a big rummage sale on Crazy Days.”
Devils Lake, ND —
