The Challenges in Building a Museum for Children Write one page use the two articles that I have attached. From the article that called “United States Depa

The Challenges in Building a Museum for Children Write one page use the two articles that I have attached. From the article that called “United States Department of the Interior Interior Museum Program Museum Cost Estimates ” please use numbers and statistic to show how it is expensive. From the other article that called “10 Steps to Starting a Museum” show how the children museums are also expensive and how the re hard to build and maintain. Please make sure that you mention negative side of that because I already talked about the positive one. United States Department of the Interior
Interior Museum Program
Museum Cost Estimates
This document is a modified version of the cost estimates chart provided by the National Park
Service in the Museum Handbook, Part I (2005). The prices listed here can be used to develop
initial cost estimates for constructing, renovating, and equipping a museum facility, and for
preparing museum planning documents. Updated product descriptions and prices reflect
improvements in technology, changes in best practices, and rising costs due to inflation.
Estimates were based on current Federal contracts (see the GSA Advantage website at:
http://www.gsaadvantage.gov), information provided by individual vendors, subject matter
experts, and changes in prices as measured by the Consumer Price Index (see the Bureau of
Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator at: http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm). Costs
for equipment do not include shipping. Shipping costs can be up to an additional one-third of
the purchase price when shipped in the contiguous United States, and much higher when
shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, Guam and other locations outside the continental United States.
Note: $/SF = cost per square foot
Museum Collection Storage
Museum Facility
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Renovating an existing facility …………………………………………………………………….81-135/SF
Constructing a new facility ……………………………………………………………………….. 297-434/SF
Note: Construction costs vary with the type, size, and configuration of the structure; the locality
(costs in Alaska and other remote areas could double those cited); the difficulties of site
preparation; and the complexity of the HVAC, security, and fire protection systems.
Equipment and Supplies
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Retrofit gasket kit ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 40
Sash lock ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16
Standard museum cabinet w/10 drawers……………………………………………………… 775-1,520
Doublewide museum cabinet w/10 drawers ………………………………………………. 1,591-2,160
Wardrobe cabinet w/specialized storage interiors (depends on interior) …………. 1,700-3,300
Herbarium cabinet, counter height (12 compartments) ……………………………………………. 590
Herbarium cabinet, full height (26 compartments) ………………………………………………….. 830
Entomology cabinet, counter height (15 drawer openings) ………………………………………. 918
Entomology cabinet, full height (24 drawer openings) ……………………………………. 953-1,069
Cornell drawers for entomology cabinets………………………………………………………………… 82
Security gun vault with acrylic museum assemblies ……………………………………. 1,000-2,400
High density moveable-aisle storage systems …………………………………………………… 149/SF
Slotted metal angle for constructing large shelving units ……………………………….. 171/bundle
(Each bundle includes ten 12′ angle pieces with 75 nuts and bolts.
Two bundles are needed for a 3-shelf unit measuring 4’x8’.
Three bundles are needed for a 5-shelf unit measuring 4′x8′.)
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Steel shelving units ………………………………………………………………………………………285/unit
5/8″-3/4″ plywood sheets for shelving ……………………………………………………………..45/sheet
Map cabinet 5-drawer unit (need 2 units for counter height) …………………………………….. 760
Map cabinet base units ……………………………………………………………………………………… 250
Sanitary platform for standard museum cabinet ………………………………………………………. 82
Sanitary platform for doublewide museum cabinet …………………………………………………. 105
Sanitary platform for wardrobe cabinet …………………………………………………………………. 155
Safety stacking rim for standard cabinet …………………………………………………………………. 35
Lumber, plywood and paint to construct wooden platform (labor not included) for:
Standard museum cabinet ………………………………………………………………………………. 50
Doublewide and wardrobe cabinet……………………………………………………………………. 60
GSA utility cabinet for forms and museum supplies ………………………………………………… 280
Costs for polyethylene foam, specimen trays, specialized containers, and other types of
museum supplies can be found by consulting the websites and catalogs of various archival
supply firms.
Museum Environment (Storage and Exhibits)
Museum Facility
HVAC System …………………………………………………………………………………………………24-46/SF
Equipment and Supplies
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Datalogger (temperature and RH recording) ……………………………………………………. 55-580
Remote probe for datalogger………………………………………………………………………………. 230
Electronic thermohygrometer (depending on brand and style) ……………………………. 200-900
Hygrometer …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 30-500
Portable dehumidifier (refrigerant type) ………………………………………………………………… 300
Portable dehumidifier (desiccant type) ………………………………………………………………. 1,000
Humidifier ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 340
Portable air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon filters ……………………………………… 450
Visible light meter ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 100
UV (ultraviolet radiation) meter ……………………………………………………………………………. 500
Vacuum cleaner (HEPA) ……………………………………………………………………………… 300-700
UV fluorescent filtering sleeves …………………………………………………………………………….. 15
UV filtering Clear Acrylic (Plexiglas® or similar)
8″ x 10″ sheet ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
20″ x 24″ sheet ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 76
4’ x 8’ x ¼” sheet …………………………………………………………………………………………. 300
UV filtering film professionally installed on windows …………………………………………….. 14/SF
Museum Exhibits
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Replacing an exhibit case
Table top or pedestal exhibit case …………………………………………………….. 2,800-11,000
Walk-in-style exhibit case ………………………………………………………………. 11,000-33,000
DOI Museum Cost estimates (2013)
Page 2
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Retrofitting existing exhibit case
Retrofit of exhibit case (surfaces, paint, graphics, furniture, etc.) ……………… 2,200-5,500
Retrofit of exhibit case structure (security, lighting, etc.) ……………………….. 3,000-11,000
Retrofit of object mount (single mount or a garment mannequin) ………………… 550-3,300
Note: Exhibit replacement and retrofitting costs vary with the size and complexity of the exhibit
case. Factors affecting cost include specialized humidity control (if needed); lighting, security,
and mounts; and the availability and location of specialized contractors.
Security
Museum Facility
Intrusion detection system (approximate minimum $2,000) ………………………………………..5-7/SF
Equipment and Supplies
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Recoring locks…………………………………….(contact locksmith or maintenance staff for costs)
Locking key boxes ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 70-90
Metal or solid core doors ……………………………………………………………………………… 300-475
Deadbolt locks……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 70
Fire Protection
Museum Facility
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Fire detection system ……………………………………………………………………………………..6-8/SF
Fire suppression system
Wet pipe system (includes smoke or heat detection system) ……………………….. 12-18/SF
Dry pipe system (includes smoke or heat detection system)………………………… 14-19/SF
Note: Costs increase if the system requires the installation of a new dedicated National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) approved 4″ or 6″ water line or if there is a need for a water
storage reservoir. Estimated costs for installation of a water line and storage reservoir include:
• Pipe installation ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 45/LF
• Backflow preventer ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 14,500
• Gate valve ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 1,500-2,200
• Water meter and box …………………………………………………………………………………….. 11,400
• Connection to an existing water line ………………………………………………………………….. 5,000
• 10,000 gallon steel on-grade storage reservoir………………………………………………….. 46,300
(Prices vary with capacity and type of construction.)
Equipment and Supplies
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ABC fire extinguisher (20 pound unit) …………………………………………………………………….. 85
ABC fire extinguisher (10 pound unit) …………………………………………………………………….. 58
Flammable liquid cabinet ……………………………………………………………………………… 350-745
Four-drawer insulated file cabinet………………………………………………………………………… 790
DOI Museum Cost estimates (2013)
Page 3
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Media vault ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 265
Media safe (various sizes) ………………………………………………………………………. 1,500-5,000
Professional Assistance and Museum Planning
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Assistance with establishing optimum relative humidity and temperature levels . 4,000-7,000
Collection Condition Survey ………………………………………………………………… 12,000-24,000
Collection Management Plan……………………………………………………………….. 15,000-30,000
Collection Condition Survey ………………………………………………………………… 12,000-24,000
Collection Storage Plan ………………………………………………………………………. 10,000-15,000
Emergency Management Plan …………………………………………………………….. 10,000-20,000
Fire Protection Survey and Plan …………………………………………………………… 10,000-15,000
Housekeeping Plan ……………………………………………………………………………. 10,000-20,000
Integrated Pest Management Plan ……………………………………………………….. 10,000-20,000
Security Survey and Plan ……………………………………………………………………. 10,000-15,000
Scope of Collection Statement …………………………………………………………….. 10,000-15,000
Note: Museum planning costs include on-site assessments, research, development, plan
preparation, and implementation of the final approved plan.
This document is provided as a reference for curators and museum property management
staff. Mention of a product, a manufacturer, or a supplier by name does not constitute an
endorsement of that product or supplier by the United States Department of the Interior.
Sources named are not all inclusive. It is suggested that readers also seek alternative product
and vendor information in order to assess the full range of available sources, supplies, and
equipment.
DOI Museum Cost estimates (2013)
Page 4

10 Steps to Starting a Museum
Mark Walhimer February 10, 2011 Museum Planning, Starting A Museum 40 Comments
Starting a museum or “How to start a museum in 10 steps”. Since 1992, I have been part of opening and
expanding more than thirty-five museums. Most of my work has been with science centers, children’s
museums and natural history museums. Below is my list of the ten steps to starting a new museum or
“How to start a museum”:
UPDATE: I wrote this post in 2011 and it is all still true and helpful today. However, if you are wanting a
more in-depth treatment of how to start a museum, I just released a new book, Museums 101, which I
designed to be an A-to-Z resource for those looking to start a museum. If you are truly looking to start a
museum, my book was written for you. You can buy it on Amazon.com.
1. One Page Description. Write a one page description of the museum. You can use my museum
questionnaire as a starting point for your new museum description. What type of museum are you
creating? science center?, Art museum? local history? Then, purchase two books, “Please Understand
Me” and “Built to Last” . I am consistently surprised how the personality of the founder of a museum
comes through in the opened museum. It makes sense, the founder, builds a Board of Directors, the
Board of Directors hires an Executive Director and the Executive Director hires staff. We all tend to
gravitate to people similar to us, so the personality of the founder is often similar to the staff of the
museum 10 years latter. Roy Shafer led a workshop I attended, where we were each given a personality
test, before handing out the results of the test, he asked us to look to our left and to our right and
notice the people sitting next to us. We then opened the personality test and the entire room had
organized ourselves according to our personality type. Be very honest, “is your personality the
personality you want reflected in the opened museum?” If not, find Board Members to your weakness.
2. Community Meeting. The second step of starting a museum, organize a community meeting, invite
politicians, “want to be politicians”, parents, teachers, school superintendents and real estate
developers and ask “what type of museum do you want?”. DO NOT show drawings of the proposed
museum, DO NOT describe the museum you are planning. Listen. Collect the names and email
addresses of the participants and ask if they would be willing to attend future meetings. Do not fall
into the trap of “if I build it they will come”, find out what the community wants.
3. 20 Museums. As part of starting a museum, visit twenty museums of the type you are interested in
opening. Keep notes and take lots of pictures. What is their yearly attendance? What is their ticket
price? Find out their operating costs, the National Center for Charitable Statistics is a wonderful
resource. Notice the smallest details, what does the floor staff wear? Ask to do a “back of house tour”,
Do they have a museum store? What type of ticketing system do they use? Write a thank you note to
any staff you meet during your visit. Join a museum organization and get involved. Go back to your
community and show them the findings of your museum visits.
4. Real Estate Developers are your friends. Make an effort to meet the real estate developers in your
community. Every project of starting a museum, I have ever worked on has in some way been
motivated by real estate. Make friends with real estate developers, tell them of your museum
idea. You will be surprised how your plans will resonate with real estate developers. You are supplying
a community resource. Do NOT make any agreements with real etstate developers until after you have
raised more than half of your capital.
5.
Do the numbers. Starting a museum is very expensive, as a rule of thumb, the exhibition space is half
of the overall space, a 4500 exhibition space becomes a 9000 square ft building at $200 per square foot
of new construction is $1.8 million dollars, plus approximately, $150 to fit out the gallery spaces,
$675,000, total $2,475,000 in start up costs plus operating costs. If you use an average of $40 per
square ft for operating costs your yearly operating costs would be $360,000 (salaries, utilities,
maintenance), not including an endowment. Create a business plan, can you earn at least 50% of your
yearly expenses? Be conservative with your annual attendance figures. Too many museums have
gotten into trouble using optimistic attendance figures. Attendance in the second and third year of a
new museum can fall off 20%-30% (or more). Plan to the third year of operation, too many museums
only plan to the opening of the museum. Plan to your third year, not to opening.
6. Own the words. Research all of the words that describe your planned museum, the more specific you
can be, the better. Use Google Analytics and purchase domains related to the words that describe the
museum. Create a name for the organization, be very specific; San Francisco Maritime Museum,
Techniquest, San Mateo County History Museum.
7. Non-Profit. Up to this point there is no need to form an non-profit, it is an advantage to wait. Get
people involved, build a community around the museum need, then form the non profit. The best
museums are those that grow out of a community need. Organize your Board of Directors. Your Board
should include, politicians, business people, investment experts, real estate developers, experts in the
field of the museum, teachers, school superintendents and potential donors. A larger Board of
Directors (20-25 people) is fine while you are raising funds. Form a 501(c)(3) .
8. Pre-View Facility. As part of starting a museum, create a preview facility, a smaller version of your yet
to be opened museum. The preview facility may be very small and only temporary. The preview facility
is great for talking with potential donors, now you can walk donors through a small version of the final
museum. Speak to architects and exhibition designers. Tell them of your plans, select an architect and
an exhibition designer, tell them “we have limited resources at this point, but if you help us with the
preview facility (pay them a reduced fee) you will have the contract for the museum”.
9. Raise Money. Use the Board of Directors. A favorite story of mine is an Executive Director needed
$500,000 for a new exhibition, he called a meeting and said to the Board of Directors “I need $500,000,
each of you either needs to con…
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