Usage Rates at Wyandotte Museum Could Go Up

If you use the services of the , you’ll likely begin paying more very soon.

During a Wednesday budget session, museums director Jody Chansuolme said it’s her recommendation to increase the fees to tour the museum, to rent the Old Timer’s Log Cabin and to have a wedding at the museum.

Residents are currently charged $50 to rent the log cabin and nonresidents pay $60. The suggested fees are $80 and $100, respectively. The cabin, which sits in , is a popular item for graduation parties and other small events, Chansuolme said. Renting it out brings in about $2,000 for the city each year, she said.

Having a wedding at the museum currently costs residents $350 and nonresidents $400. The new fees are suggested at $450 and $500, respectively. Those figures are on par with similar chapels and wedding facilities in the area, Chansuolme said.

There have been five weddings at the museum over the last 12 months, but that is down slightly because of some work being done at the facility, Chansuolme said.

The cost to tour the museum is $2 for adults and 50 cents for children. A revised price wasn’t announced.

Chansuolme said she also plans to try new ventures to raise money, including hosting private tea parties at the museum and hosting a garage sale in August to sell off some historical items that have been collected over the years from various buildings in Wyandotte.

The museum’s Heritage Events Series, including the and the , continue to be profitable, coming out about $10,000 ahead last year, Chansuolme said.

While other city departments are facing steep cuts as officials try to offset an estimated , Mayor Joseph Peterson said he is only recommending a slight cut at the museum.

There, they’re set to lose a , which is estimated to save the city $5,608. The museum’s annual budget is about $150,000 and includes one full-time employee and two part-time employees.

Some residents, including Councilwoman Sheri Sutherby-Fricke, have said that , including the two historic homes that sit along with the museum. Not only will the city reap money from the sales, Sutherby-Fricke said, the properties would then go back on the tax rolls as the new owner would have to pay property taxes on the buildings.

“It’s time to sell properties, especially in the downtown area,” Sutherby-Fricke said .

At Wednesday’s hearing, she softened her words, saying she only wants to research the matter because a resident raised it. She praised Chansuolme and her staff for the good work they do, calling herself a “history-crazed nut, too.”

Peterson said he doesn’t agree with the notion of selling any of the city’s historic homes.

“I understand times are tough,” he said. “I know that people think we should sell some of our buildings. To me, that is a Band-Aid in fixing the problems. … I don’t think our history is for sale.”

City officials will continue their budget talks at 5 p.m. on Aug. 8 when they tackle the budgets of the engineering and departments.