MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Efforts are under way to establish a museum and cultural center in the building that formerly housed the Middletown Library.
At its June 8 board meeting, the Lake County Historical Society named Voris Brumfield to head its Gibson Museum & Cultural Center project and nominated her for election to its board as District 1 representative.
Operating a local museum as a project of the county historical society insures nonprofit status, offers a bit of financial support and a good deal of expertise for guidance for the new museum.
Supporters are anticipating a Grand Opening the weekend of May 3-4, 2014, exactly 84 years after the Gibson Library opened in the building May 3-4, 1930.
A memorandum of understanding for creating the Gibson Museum as a cooperative venture between the Lake County Historical Society and the county of Lake has been finalized and approved by the Lake County Historical Society board, and is ready for review by County Counsel Anita Grant.
District 1 County Supervisor Jim Comstock does not anticipate problems with county approval, which will make the historic Gibson Library building available for the museum’s use.
Assessments of work needed on the Gibson building have been made, and work on bringing the building up to code should begin soon. Tenting for termite extermination may happen yet this month.
With that approval, Gibson Museum will be ready to accept donations of historical artifacts, photos and information.
Gibson members have begun collecting oral interviews, and would appreciate submission of names of longtime residents for further interviews.
Local fundraising efforts will be immediate and energetic. Gibson Museum members will participate in the Middletown Days Parade, with a few appearing as "historical characters."
Members wearing white t-shirts with the Gibson logo will be encouraging local support and donations from onlookers. The members also will man tables in front of the Gibson building and at Central Park and will be prepared to take membership subscriptions and donations.
Everyone who would like to further the creation of a south Lake County museum is encouraged to join the Lake County Historical Society, specifying your interest in Gibson Museum.
Gibson will get all the funds generated by such memberships. It's $15 per year for an individual, $20 for a household. County society memberships include the Gibson group and the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum group.
You can join online at www.cgibsonmuseum.com or at www.lakecountyhistory.org using Paypal or your credit card.
The local Gibson Museum group will hold its next planning meeting at the activities center, between the library and the senior center, beginning at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 26. All interested persons are urged to attend.
For more information about the effort, to donate funds or artifacts, or submit information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Voris Brumfield at 707-987-3379 or Nina Bouska at 707-987-2349.