Museum gets new lighting

The National Buffalo Museum here is gearing up for the upcoming tourism season and visitors this year will see things in a new light — literally.

The original track lighting that was installed in 1993 was using too much power and needed to be replaced, said Felicia Sargeant, museum director.

“The new lighting is going to be a striking change,” she said.

Sargeant said she was getting comments from visitors that the museum was too dim. The new change not only brightens the place up but also uses less electricity.

Otter Tail Power Co. worked with the museum and brought in a specialist from Border States Paving in Fargo to pick the lights and where they would be mounted.

Gone now are the track lights as they were replaced with she called “wall washes” that better display the exhibits.

“For them (visitors) to be able to see the artwork with good lighting,” is the main priority, Sargeant said.

The next phase of the of the project is to replace the carpeting in the lobby.

The outside may look better as well as a new paint job was also applied in time for the start of the tourism season.

“We need to keep up to make the museum what we can,” she said.

The total cost of the projects is roughly $20,000. Sargeant called the fixes “not expensive but necessary.”

“It was one of those things we had to do and budget as well as we can for,” she said.

The museum focused on the upgrades instead of a summer exhibit. Sargeant said she plans to showcase those upgrades with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in July around White Cloud’s birthday.

Although the priority during the less busy months has been on improvements, Sargeant said there are still entertaining exhibits.

Ernest Clifford, Crom-well, Conn., donated his collection of buffalo memorabilia as well as a few bronze busts. There is also a full-sized teepee and an exhibit on Lewis and Clark.

Admissions to see those exhibits has been rising since 2008. Last year was the highest recorded with close to 25,000 people.

This year Sargeant expects more regional visitors.

“This year because of the price of gas we’re going to see more local traffic,” she said.

The National Buffalo Museum is open year-round. From now to May 27 the hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. After Memorial Day it will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by e-mail at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: diversions, arts, museum