o complete the initial phase of the Museum plan for long-term development, the Foundation Board has organized a $9 million History for the Future Campaign. The campaign seeks $7.5 million for capital projects and $1.5 million for endowment.

Thanks to Proposition 12 funds and in-kind support for the Oil Exhibition, the Museum has already received $4 million in capital support. This leaves $5 million to be raised: $3.5 million in capital funds and $1.5 million for the endowment.

The $1.5 million for endowment will help to provide a long-term source of revenue to fund Museum programming and ensure financial stability. Interest from the endowment, which the Museum will seek to increase in future years, will help to support a variety of initiatives such as enhanced programming for schoolchildren, expanded public education programs, improved collection care, continued collection acquisition, ongoing upgrading of the Museum’s historic structures and grounds, and the hiring of additional staff needed to accomplish the initiatives.

Campaign Funding Objectives

• New 9,900-sq.-ft., state-of-the-art interactive
  Oil Exhibition to be housed in a new building

Main Museum Building Remodeling $1,935,000

• Restoration of this historic structure
  
• Installation of an exhibition of Kern County artifacts
  
• New Entrance Plaza
  
• Collection storage upgrades
  
• Upgraded lighting, landscaping, and security fencing
  

Grounds Infrastructure Improvements $625,000

• Historic lighting throughout the grounds
  
• Upgraded irrigation system and utilities
  
• Uniform signage and additional landscaping
  
• Enhanced visitor services
  
• Upgraded Bandstand and Standard School Green
  

Historic Buildings Restoration & Relocation$235,000

• Restoration of Howell House and yard
  
• Relocation and restoration of Metcalf House
  
• Stabilization of Pinkney House, Weill House, and Woody General Store and relocation to appropriate thematic areas
• Creation of furnishing plans for five houses
  

Mining Exhibition $120,000

• New exhibition including a restored Ten Stamp Mill
  

Water & Agriculture Exhibition Design $100,000

Lori Brock Children’s Discovery Center Improvements $85,000

Administration & Professional Fees $400,000

Endowment $1,500,000