Superior Public Museums presented a progress report to the Superior Common Council on Thursday evening, describing recent restorations, grants and a return to pre-pandemic programming at the city's three museums.

"I'm Megan Meyer," said Megan Meyer, executive director, introducing the organization and its staff. Board president Caitlin Baumann said the nonprofit, founded in 1999, operates the Fairlawn Mansion, the SS Meteor whaleback ship and the old Fire Hall and Police Museum under a memorandum of understanding with the city.

The presenters outlined recent capital work and ongoing maintenance: a restored Fairlawn Mansion first floor, repairs to tower windows and roofing at the Fire Hall, boiler and window work, and continued welding and repainting on the SS Meteor. Baumann credited partnerships with the Douglas County Historical Society and the Great Lakes Shipwreck and Preservation Society for helping maintain the collections and run annual volunteer work weekends.

Meyer and Baumann described outreach and programming that resumed after pandemic restrictions, including the annual ice cream social, flashlight tours, a museum mini-golf reopening and seasonal special events such as twinkling holiday evenings and a museum crawl planned for September. They said online reservations and a membership program have increased engagement and made event planning easier.

Councilors thanked the presenters for their work. "Thanks for your time and your expertise," Councilor Van Sickle said, noting recent council engagement with museum leadership. Councilor Ladin, the council's representative to the museums, called the preservation work "enlightening" and thanked staff and volunteers.

The presentation closed with a request for continued partnership on renovations and long-term planning; the museums said they will pursue branding updates, short-term exhibits and continued restoration work on upper floors at Fairlawn.

The council did not take formal action on the presentation; the item served as an informational briefing and a request for continued collaboration.