HOWARD STEAMBOAT MUSEUM SURPASSES $1,000,000 GOAL

Jeffersonville’s Howard Steamboat Museum completed a two-year long, first-ever, capital campaign eclipsing their $1,000,000 goal by attracting in excess of $1,050,000.

David Reinhardt, 2009 Board President praised the Paul Ogle Foundation for their incredible support. “Ogle’s $500,000 initial commitment clearly launched our fundraising efforts in a dramatic way.”

The Ogle Foundation pledge was an “All or Nothing” match, meaning the Museum was required to raise the remaining $500,000 by December 31, 2009. In spite of an unfavorable economic climate over the past 18 months, over 200 community donors generously responded.

Museum administrator Yvonne Knight stated, “We wish to extend to each and every single donor a World of Thanks for this philanthropic support. Corporate donors in Southern Indiana, Louisville, local businesses, area foundations and our Howard Steamboat Museum members collectively deserve all the credit for this overwhelming success.’

The campaign was created to address long-standing serious infrastructure needs for the 115-year old Victorian Mansion and other structures on the Museum grounds. Major priorities:

1) Adding a state-of-the-art fire detection and suppression system

2) A zoned climate-control system to provide central air and heat throughout the three-story Mansion

3) Energy-efficient renovations / repairs

4) Stabilizing the laundry house

5) Acquiring storage space for artifacts

6) A multitude of small projects

The renovation process will begin immediately with the completion of specific plans and authorizing the work. By late spring actual repairs will be underway and completion could take until December 2011 or slightly longer.

Newly-elected Board President, Rick Madden, stated “Our plans envision that the work will be scheduled in such a manner that the Museum will always remain open during this 18-month period. Periodic progress reports will be made to keep our membership, donors, friends and the community fully updated during this exciting endeavor.”