[Keith Norrington]

Just a note of GOOD news that, thanks to some contributions made this week, the Capital Campaign Fund for the Howard Steamboat Museum is very close to the goal of $500,000, which The Ogle Foundation will match with another $500,000 for a total of ONE MILLION DOLLARS! Deadline for fund raising is December 31st and all funds must be banked by this date. The museum is a 501 (c) 3 organization and all donations are tax deductible. We are extremely grateful to the many organizations and individuals who have pledged generously, but we still have a little further to go before reaching the finish line -- and the clock is ticking!

This grant will be used to fund major improvements to protect and preserve the 115 year old 22 room Victorian mansion occupied by three generations of the Howard family before becoming a museum in 1958.

Projects include:
- Fire suppression and detection systems
- Energy efficient climate control system
- Laundry House stabilization and adaptive restoration
- Restoration of chimneys and storm windows

Thus far this year, the museum has welcomed visitors from 37 states and 14 foreign countries. MANY THANKS to ALL who have contributed to the fund and who have supported the museum and its programs in various other ways. If you'd like to contribute to the campaign fund or become a member of our wonderful "little museum that CAN and DOES", call Yvonne Knight, museum administrator at 812-283-3728 (toll free at 888-472-0606) or David Reinhardt, museum board president, at 812-207-3003.

Upcoming events include the annual "Fall Into Art" exhibition, beginning with a reception and lecture on Sunday, November 1st, and the Christmas Open House on Sunday, December 13th.

Visit the museum website by clicking on Howard Steamboat Museum - Home Page for further information and updates!

Hope to see y'all on deck at the museum soon! Thanks again and keep up steam!

"Curator Keith"