Museum reaches goal in matching grant challenge

Members of the Putnam County Museum who recently welcomed the donation and distributions presented by Executive Director of the Foundation Elaine Peck. On hand for the presentation are (from left) Jinsie Bingham, Chris Wurster, Elaine Peck, Phil Gick, Saraellen Peters, Dr. Warren Macy, Mickey Meehan, Patty McCastle and Kit Newkirk.

The Putnam County Museum has surpassed its goal of raising $150,000 for the museum through its biggest fundraising campaign ever, thanks to a recent donation from the Andrew E. and Aura (Sawyer) Durham Family Endowment at the Putnam County Community Foundation.

The Romine Matching Challenge gave museum supporters incentive to raise $100,000 from the community.

Businesses, families and individuals contributed amounts from $10 to $10,000 to the campaign, which began in the fall of 2012. Malcolm Romine, a native of Putnam County, initiated the challenge and pledged to add one dollar for every two dollars donated, bringing the total to $150,000.

Said Romine, "I am proud of the community meeting the challenge. This will help give the museum financial stability making it possible for present and future generations to gain an appreciation and perspective of their Putnam County heritage."

One third of the funds raised during the Romine Matching Challenge will go directly to support museum operations. Two-thirds will go to the museum's endowment fund at the Community Foundation. Both the museum's endowment fund and the Sharon Evans Endowment Fund will yield a continuing support for the museum's mission into the foreseeable future.

The museum plans a special Donor Appreciation Day event at the museum on Friday, May 16 from 5-7 p.m. to celebrate all of its donors. The event will include live music, hors d'oeuvre, and a brief program including a few surprises.

Elaine Peck, executive director of the Foundation, recently stopped by the museum to present three sums to the Putnam County Museum.

In addition to the Durham family donation, Peck presented distributions from the Sharon Evans Endowment Fund and from the Putnam County Historical and Cultural Museum Endowment, both administered by the Putnam County Community Foundation.