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Days of ‘76 Museum putting new museum designs together

By Tim Velder

Groundbreaking planned for fall of 2009

If undraising and design plans stay on track, the construction of the new Days of ‘76 Museum will begin this fall. Museum board member Jon Mattson updated the Deadwood City Commission Tuesday, Feb. 17, on the progress of fundraising and design for a new two-story structure to house the vast collection of old west and Days of ‘76 memorabilia.

The board would like to raise $6 million for the building and they have $4.11 million raised so far.

“We are continuing to work and follow up on pledges and cash contributions and grant requests to meet our $6 million goal,” Mattson said.

Plans are to start work in the fall of 2009 and open the new museum in the spring of 2011.

The city of Deadwood has pledged $3 million from its historic preservation fund.

Mattson presented floor plans and preliminary drawings for the museum at the meeting, but said those ideas could be downsized to fit the project into the budget.He said costs of construction materials are going down and payments to the architect are based on the cost of the project.

If those costs can be reduced, Mattson said the fundraising goals could be more easily met.

Additionally, the board is looking to be fiscally responsible beyond completion of the new museum.

“Our board wants to build a building that not only we can pay for, but one we can operate successfully,” Mattson said.

Next to the museum, the Days of ‘76 owns a campground which generates revenue for the operation of the museum and annual PRCA rodeo.

The new facility will house collections including the Clowser Collection of pioneer and American Indian art and artifacts; more than 50 horse-drawn vehicles; and rodeo, clothing and archival collections.

The $6 million project will include a 32,000-square-foot-museum facility, a shop and storage facility and a refurbished campground.

Drawings show carriage exhibits, archives and artifact storage in the first floor. The second floor, would have a large open floor of exhibits, a gift shop and a theater with seating for more than 130 people.

The city commission favored Mattson’s suggestion to hire Lund and Associates to continue its architectural work, pending ratification of a contract.

Raffle planned

The Days of ‘76 Museum committee is holding a year-long raffle for a historically-accurate saddle. The committee will commission Deadwood area saddlemaker Jerry Croft to create a prize that is similar to the saddle he built for Tom Selleck in the movie “Quigley Down Under."

”Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the museum building project. The winner’s name will be drawn in October.

Raffle tickets are available for purchase at the Days of ‘76 Museum and campground office and board members. President Jon Mattson, Vice President Marc Straub, Secretary Terry Sankey, Treasurer Joe Peterson, other members Ron Burns, Ron Island, Jim Mattson, Pat Roberts, Donna Randolph, Steve Olson, Francis Toscana and Kevin Kuchenbecker.