Springfield, Illinois – On Thursday, March 22, 2012 at 10:00am, the Abraham Lincoln’s National Museum of Surveying held a press conference announcing exciting news that will help ensure the museum’s future. Jim Roth, president of the Board, and Bob Church, treasurer of the Board will make the announcement.
“Today we are announcing the beginning of the Reaching Our Orbit Capital Campaign to pay down the museum’s mortgage. The museum has reached the point where memberships, visitors’ entrance fees and on site donations pay our monthly overhead costs. However, we need to reduce our mortgage in order to offer additional interesting, educational programs for the community, tourists, and area youth groups," says Jim Roth, president of the museum’s Board. "Our mission is to educate visitors about how land surveyors developed America and why land surveying is important to each of us. We also hope to encourage young people to consider land surveying as a career."
Bob Church, the museum Board’s treasurer, says: “Since the museum’s opened, thousands of visitors from around the world have enjoyed it. A successful campaign will help us continue to work with educational facilities from elementary through colleges and universities. Additional funding will help us expand our work with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4H clubs, Boys and Girls Club, and other youth organizations interested in math, science and our environment.”
We timed this announcement to coincide with National Surveyor’s Week, March 18 – 24, 2012 which was originally proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and reaffirmed by President George W. Bush during his administration.
The Reaching Our Orbit Capital Campaign will ensure the museum’s future. To kick off the campaign, we are excited to announce that we have a firm commitment of a contribution from an undisclosed source to match every donation we receive, up to $200,000, by the end of 2012. Contributors to our capital campaign can offer a series of pledges spread over five years or a one-time donation. Corporate donors have an additional opportunity to name the museum’s four major galleries. Details of the campaign and how to pledge will be available on the museum’s web site at http://www.surveyingmuseum.org/reaching-our-orbit.html. Potential donors are welcome to visit the museum free of charge to see what visitors call “the hidden treasure of Springfield.”
The national co-chairs of the campaign are: Curt Sumner of Gaithersburg, Maryland a Professional Land Surveyor and executive director of the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS), and John Matonich of Flint, Michigan, Professional Land Surveyor, past president of the NSPS and current chair of the NSPS Government Relations Committee. The local “Reaching Our Orbit” Capital Campaign co-chairs are: Brian Whiston of Springfield, Professional Engineer and chief executive officer of Crawford, Murphy & Tilly Consulting Engineers of Springfield; Earl Wally Henderson, FAIA (Retired) of Springfield; Michael Matzke PLS of Quigg Engineering of Springfield and Boy Scouts of America Surveying Merit Badge Counselor.
In the 18 months of existence, the museum has instituted many programs, has been a hidden treasure for many tourists and area citizen, and always had its eyes on growth. With a more secure future by paying down the mortgage, the museum can focus more of its effort and capital on growing what it has in place. We can help all of our other satellites reach a new more expansive orbit.
• By helping us reach our orbit, you allow the museum to provide more programming for Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, engineering groups, Boys and Girls Club, school groups, 4-H club members, and many other youth organizations. Perhaps the museum is a one stop shop for a merit badge?
• By helping us reach our orbit, you expand the museum’s effort in educating the public about surveying through our Surveying in Residence program and our Surveying Seminars. Perhaps monthly seminars on the history of surveying led by surveying experts from around the country?
• By helping us reach our orbit, you allow the museum to offer its space for more local history, cultural and art organizations. With such great experiences with the Springfield Area Art Council, why not more Art on my Own Time?
• By helping us reach our orbit, you allow the museum to expand on its Science on a Sphere tool to further allow teachers to utilize and customize the most impressive visual aid in the area. Perhaps Geography Bees on the Sphere and a student based mapping program?
• By helping us reach our orbit, you allow the museum’s Community Mapping Center to become a reality. Perhaps a shared computer lab or a computer lab for GIS?
• By helping us reach our orbit, you allow the museum to expand children activities within the everyday tour. Perhaps, make your own topographical map or Surveyor’s Camps on Saturdays?
• By helping us reach our orbit, you will allow the future to take hold. We have no idea what opportunities will arise the further along we get.
The museum is also home to the Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum and Foundation and the Illinois State Historical Society. The museum is happy to talk to any other not for profit organization looking for downtown space.
As we continue to grow, we are also seeking volunteers, especially those with a background in science, math and public speaking. Volunteers can serve as docents, join planning committees for educational activities and oversee specific activities.
About NMOS
Abraham Lincoln’s National Museum of Surveying is a not for profit museum located at 521 East Washington Street, or on the north side of the Old State Capitol Square. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM with extended hours for prearranged groups. The museum can be contacted at 217.523.3130 or info@nationalsurveyingmuseum.org. For more information please visit our website (surveyingmuseum.org) or like us on Facebook.