MENOMINEE, MI (NBC 26) — A fishing museum in Menominee, Michigan is working hard to raise thousands of dollars.
The West Shore Fishing Museum is in an area deeply rooted in the commercial fishing history.
"Its so fun when people say 'I worked on that boat' or my grandfather worked on that boat’”, said Tina Oman, a museum volunteer.
The museum traces fishing from prehistoric to modern times. However, as that history continues to expand into the present day, the museum is running out of room.
"At the moment our archives are housed in that old chicken coop,” said Oman.
For a few years now, the museum which runs fully on donations has been working hard to raise enough money to expand and create a space to store the archives.
"We are hoping we can have a building that can house those along with exhibition space for traveling exhibits or items we can't show because of lack of space,” Oman said.
Oman said the museum has raised about $85,000, more than half of the fundraising amount they need.
"We already have the plans drawn up and approved by architects and the powers that be to approve plans. We are all ready to go except it's a slow-going process to raise the money just with our donations,” Oman said.
The site of the museum’s existing gift shop is where the expansion is expected to happen. Work has already gotten underway.
"We are in front of not a patio but a building foundation. We do work as we can afford it. We don't overextend ourselves or take out loans,” Oman said.
Together volunteers and the community are working hard, to not only create a building but preserve archives for generations to come.
If you'd like to help the museum with its fundraising efforts, donations may be sent to:
Noreen Johnson, Bailey Property Preservation Association President
N4486 State Highway M35, Menominee, MI 49858
or
Pat Cheski, Bailey Property Preservation Association Treasurer
N2490 State Highway M35, Menominee, MI 49858
