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Community Survey - Shaping the Future of the Museum

How important is the Harbor History Museum to you? How can we best serve our community?

Your opinion is important to us. Please take a few minutes to complete this 12-question survey.

The Harbor History Museum exists entirely to serve our community through programs, events, partnerships, and the care and sharing of our unique collection of local images, objects, and archives.

We are entirely funded by you--the community--with limited funds secured (but not guaranted) from local, state, and national grant programs. Your opinion matters as we shape the future priorities and projects of the museum.

Please share your preferences by answering the following questions.
1.Our most recent community capital project was the completion of the FV Shenandoah restoration and the enclosure of the Maritime Gallery. Have you visited the new gallery?
2.How did we do? Please rate the success of the new Maritime Gallery in terms of the following:
1 (poor)
2
3
4
5 (Fantastic)
a. Highlighting local commercial fishing and boat building history
b. Providing educational exhibits
c. Caring for our maritime collection
d. Creating a memorable experience
3.Museum Exhibit Content: This year, we are working on improvements and updates to our Main Gallery that focus on Gig Harbor's land-based history.

If we were to add content to our Main Gallery, what would you most like to see added? Select up to 3 options or add your own idea in the comments:
4.Special Exhibition Content: We are currently planning our next special exhibition. What topics would you most like us to cover in the future? Please select your top three.
5.Additional Museum Programming: We currently offer two regular public programs each month: Literary Society and Humanities in the Harbor lecture series. What new programs would you be most likely to attend at the museum?
6.Improvements to the Museum Campus: As we look to the future of the Harbor History Museum and how it can best serve the community, a few items have been identified as possible “next best steps.”

Please rate your preferences from the list below:
1-Not Necessary
2
3-Needed
4
5-Top Priority
a. Make the museum bigger – add gallery space
b. Add a dedicated 100+ seat lecture hall/performance/education space
c. Add a preservation studio where objects can be restored in public view
d. Expand virtually; Make more collection items available online
e. Provide more outdoor interpretation/learning opportunities
f. Provide a “Museumobile” that shuttles visitors to and from the museum from various points along the waterfront
g. Build more physical collection storage
7.Museum Administration: How important is national accreditation and/or affiliations to your impression and trust of the museum? Accreditation is a review and required application of best museum practices at the national standard. Affiliate programs allow for partnered lending of exhibits and collections as well as networked promotions and learning opportunities.
1-Not Important
3-Neutral
5-Very Important
Accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums
Smithsonian Affiliation
Washington State Historical Society Affiliation
Staff that is certified by the National Association of Interpretation
8.Expanding the Mission...or Not: Our current mission is to "Inspire curiosity about local history and cultural traditions as they connect to the world around us." Do you think we should expand our mission to officially include "arts"?
9.Funding Strategies: As we mentioned, the Harbor History Museum is primarily funded by people like you—members of our community and people who believe in what we do. Additionally, we actively seek grant opportunities, have earned income from rentals and the mercantile, and manage a small reserve/endowment fund.

We are launching a couple of new giving programs to secure long-term support for the museum. Which of the following programs would you be most likely to support? Check all that apply.
10.Tell Us a Little About You: Please check all that apply.
11.Give us your honest opinion: Pie in the sky - What do you envision the museum being or having accomplished in the next ten years?
12.Would you like us to contact you about future plans and ideas for the museum? If so, please add your name and contact information below.
Thank you for your input! We will publish the survey results later this summer.