May 27, 2006
Museum Kicks Off $1 Million Campaign

The Cable Natural History Museum held a kick-off event Saturday, May 27 to unveil its Doorways to Discovery capital campaign to raise money for a new Museum building on County Highway M in Cable. The kick-off event began with a tour of the updated Carnivore Café Exhibit at the Museum’s temporary location at 43570 Kavanaugh Road. Guests then walked over to the Museum’s County M property to view building plans and enjoy snacks and refreshments.

Museum board Chair Ron Anderson welcomed more than 60 guests and Executive Director Michelle Gostomski announced that the Museum has already raised more than $320,000 toward the effort. Museum board member Joe Brady spoke about his passion for the natural world around us and the importance of supporting the Museum’s mission of educating others about the natural world. Other board members and staff were on hand to answer questions.

“We are raising money for a new facility in the form of three year pledges and construction will begin when the Museum meets the bank’s requirements for a construction loan,” said Gostomski. “The Museum board alone has contributed 25 percent of the goal.”

The new building footprint was staked out at the property and guests were invited to walk through the “rooms” and learn about the features of the new facility such as an educational classroom, Dragonfly Gift Shop, and an expanded exhibit area.

The new, one-story building will integrate the environment, architecture, and landscaping to create a functional and educational structure. The concept of the design is that it appear that the building is rising up out of the earth, with the roof imitating the tree canopy. The new facility will house collections and exhibits, an educational classroom, administrative offices, a workshop/storage area and the Museum gift shop, Dragonfly.

Energy-efficient elements such as earthen berms, geothermal heating and cooling, and orientation to the sun are being discussed as well as the use of natural and recycled materials, climate control for collections, and a water collection system. For more information, please contact The Cable Natural History Museum at 715-798-3890 or info@cablemuseum.org.