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Washington County secures 5 Oaks Museum collection after closure; staff to return with options and cost estimates
Summary
County staff said 5 Oaks Museum has been closed since Dec. 29, the county terminated the museum contract April 7, has taken custody of the building and collection, and will return with options and a cost estimate late this summer; the proposed budget includes about $180,000 for short-term facility and collection work.
Washington County staff told the Board of Commissioners that 5 Oaks Museum has been closed since Dec. 29 and that the county terminated the museum’s contract on April 7 and has taken custody of the building and its collections. Staff said they have secured the building and are undertaking a preliminary, high-level review of the collection and records, but that the materials and legal obligations make the project complex and potentially costly.
Marnie Kyle and Anne Ober, both county archives/records staff (ACA), summarized a staff memo and an initial review. Staff said the review raised multiple issues that require further legal and curatorial work: identifying whether objects are owned or loaned, locating paperwork for outstanding museum debt (staff said the county has not received the paperwork requested), evaluating deaccession standards, and identifying whether materials belong to Native American tribes and require repatriation procedures.
Staff said the county currently has access to the building, keys and collection, and that preservation work and a records review are underway. County staff said the proposed budget includes roughly $180,000 in lottery funds to cover initial facility maintenance and security while staff completes due diligence. The county also reported it has a part-time, limited-duration contract position working with records staff and a former board member to inventory the collection.
Commissioners asked about options should the county decide not to operate the museum as it previously existed. Staff said several community organizations have expressed interest in alternatives, but no organization has presented a sustainable financial model to operate the museum and maintain the collection. Staff said they will investigate alternatives, including community-based operating models, and return to the board in late summer (staff suggested an August update) with options and cost estimates.
Marnie Kyle summarized the situation to commissioners: “Washington County received notice that 5 Oaks Museum had closed due to inadequate funds, and they have been continuously closed since December 29.” Commissioners and staff thanked records and facilities personnel for securing the building and collection and for beginning the inventory and legal review.
No formal decision to re-open, transfer or dispose of the collection was recorded in the work session; staff said the county will use budgeted funds to secure the assets while it develops options and a recommended path forward.
