The Chippewa Valley Post provides news of area nonprofit organizations in order to increase public awareness of their missions and activities, and to provide information that otherwise might not be made available.
Our “6 of Substance” series is part of this effort. It will present answers from nonprofit organizations, in their own words, to six questions we asked about who they are and what they do. The responses will be edited only for length, grammar and style concerns.
This series will be updated regularly to introduce Chippewa Valley residents to the many nonprofit organizations and people working to serve the needs of our area. If you have a favorite nonprofit organization that you’d like to see featured here, please let us know at cvpostwi@gmail.com.
Chippewa Valley Museum n
Who do you serve?
The Chippewa Valley Museum serves over 20,000 annual visitors to our museum in Eau Claire’s Carson Park, and we reach thousands more throughout the community, connecting people to local history and culture through exhibits, workshops, special events, and our research library. About a quarter of our visitors, mostly school children, arrive for educational tours led by volunteer docents (museum teachers).
How long have you been established in the Chippewa Valley?
Incorporated in 1964, the Chippewa Valley Museum opened its doors for the first time on March 3, 1966 in the old Meader Candy Factory, now the Volume One building in downtown Eau Claire. The current building, at 1204 E. Half Moon Drive in Eau Claire’s Carson Park, was opened in 1974. In 1977, the Schlegelmilch House in downtown Eau Claire was donated to the museum and has been maintained as a circa 1900 example of a merchant’s house.
What are the major issues you will be facing over the next 18 months?
We are concerned about the future of federal support and possible elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. All of the exhibits and most of the programs at the museum have been made possible from grants via at least one of those federal agencies.
Aside from financial support, how can the Chippewa Valley Community support you?
The museum is open year-round, so visiting the museum and bringing friends and family to experience all we have to offer is the most important. In order to keep the doors open we rely on volunteers for our front desk, museum store, vintage ice cream parlor, and to serve as docents (tour guides). To help behind the scenes we need volunteers in curatorial, design, library, marketing, and special projects.
Who are some of the key people in your organization?
Our museum director is Carrie Ronnander, who began at the museum as curator in 2000. Other staff include facilities manager Dondi Hayden, business manager Dorie Boetcher, educator Karen Jacobson, communications specialist Jeremy Gragert, community programs manager and archivist Liz Reuter, assistant curator and office manager Kathie Roy, and volunteer coordinator and operations assistant Jill York. And of course, our volunteers!
What is the most important thing about your organization that people should know, but don’t?
Nearly 1,000 members support the Chippewa Valley Museum, the only museum in Western Wisconsin accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. Our members back our mission to connect people to our community and inspire curiosity by collecting, preserving, and sharing our region’s history and cultural resources. We gather memories, s
ave ideas, and share stories that bring us together as a community.
— by Jeremy Gragert, Communications Specialist
If you would like more information about the Chippewa Valley Museum, go to cvmuseum.com.
To download a copy of the “6 of Substance” questionnaire, click here.
To see earlier “6 of Substance” listings, click here for the Archives.