Museum launches membership drive

SANDPOINT — The Bonner County History Museum has some lofty goals for its annual membership drive, which kicked off in mid-October.

They are working to double museum members.

Membership to the museum is affordable and has a number of benefits. For less than $3 a month individual members will not only will get the many perks of membership, but will also help the museum throw great events, educate local students, and ensure the protection of the rich history of Bonner County.

This year’s membership drive will include great gifts and prizes for both new and renewing members, including spa treatments, car services, gift cards and much more! All you have to do to for your chance to win is “like” the museum on Facebook, and become a new member or renew your membership. You’ll be entered to win prizes on top of the great benefits of being member. All museum members receive free admission to the museum for one calendar year, plus two guest passes; 10 percent off of merchandise in the gift shop; priority notices and early-ticketing for museum events, and a copy of the quarterly newsletter.

Becoming a member is easy and can be done online at www.bonnercountyhistory.org, by phone, mail or in person at the museum.

Memberships begin as low as $25 for seniors and students, $30 for individuals, $40 for a dual membership, which includes membership benefits for two people, and $50 for a household membership, which includes benefits for up to four people. Upper level memberships begin at $150 and include increased benefits, and business memberships are also available.

It is because of generous members that the museum is able to preserve Bonner County history and offer exhibits and education opportunities to the community and beyond. Membership enabled the museum to accomplish so much in 2016, including continuing the Free First Saturday program, and safe trick-or-treating, both of which saw increases in attendance over last year.

Membership support also helped present engaging exhibits, including the final installment of the “Tales from the Wardrobe” series, more “History in the Making,” two mini-exhibits, and three new exhibits which opened Oct. 15. The museum also was able to provide school tours and programs to over 500 students. And finally, the museum hosted its second Afternoon Tea, second “History Mystery”, and introduced a “Late Nights at the Museum” event series.

With the funds generated by this upcoming membership drive, the museum will not only continue established programs, but will also finish conservation and restoration of the Caboose, present the third annual History Mystery, and second annual Movie in the Park, design new exhibits, and begin work to create educational programs for exhibits. Membership funds will also be utilized to continue presenting engaging and topical events, lectures and activities both at the museum and in the larger community. Becoming a member will support all of these exciting programs, and will also ensure that Bonner County history is preserved and protected for future generations.

Founded in 1972, the Bonner County History Museum has been collecting and preserving the Bonner County region’s significant stories for over 40 years. The museum is located in view of Lake Pend Oreille in beautiful Lakeview Park. The park has many amenities including picnic areas, a playground, tennis courts, and the Native Plant Society arboretum. Adjacent to Lakeview Park is Memorial Field which has a boat launch and is home to the Festival at Sandpoint every August.

The Bonner County History Museum is a private, non-profit educational organization (I.R.S. 501 (c) 3).

The museum is a membership organization, open to all. We operate thanks to community support, membership fees, gifts, retail sales and donations, and grants from private foundations

The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; oand from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month (free admission). Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 for those 6-18 years, and free for members and children on 6 years old.