| The San Francisco Railway Museum is off to an excellent start in its first year. But there are still several important opportunities at the museum and we are hoping our members and friends will be able to dig a little deeper into their pockets to help us meet those remaining needs.
For example, the flow of visitors makes it clear that we need to add additional video touch screens to meet demand. A second video installation will make it possible to display many more high-resolution photos from Muni’s archives and other sources that there is no room to physically hang on the walls. In addition, we can share more of the rare motion picture film we are acquiring of bygone San Francisco transit operations. A third video setup with pre-programmed displays is also a very desirable addition.
Making the best use of our limited space requires us to add more fixtures and display areas at the museum. Much of this space will be used to display some recently donated artifacts that would otherwise have to go to storage. We also need to augment the lighting to show off these marvelous artifacts and displays to best advantage. And we plan to expand the number of permanent display panels in the museum.
Finally, plans are being drawn for the sides and roof of replica Market Street Railway Co. ‘White Front’ streetcar No. 105. Even with volunteer labor, the price of high quality wood is daunting.
We know that many of our members have given to our museum campaign, but others missed the opportunity. But there is still time to contribute!
Major donor event, Sept. 14
On Friday, September 14, to honor the museum’s one year anniversary and officially close the inaugural fundraising campaign, Market Street Railway will hold a special reception from 6-8pm honoring major museum fund donors ($250 or more). The highlight of the event will be the unveiling of the permanent donor plaque at the front door of the museum, which will include the names of all those who have donated $250 or more to the museum fund by our contribution cutoff date of August 15.
This is an opportunity for those who may have already given some money to the museum fund to make an additional donation sufficient to reach the $250 level. Also, some members may wish to move to a higher category with an additional donation, demonstrating to all who visit the museum your dedication to helping to preserve vintage transit in San Francisco. Our donation categories that qualify for inclusion on the plaque are listed at the end of this article.
All who have given $250 or more to the museum fund so far should have received an acknowledgement from Market Street Railway with the amount donated, letting you know what size additional donation would be required to move up to a higher category. We are happy to discuss recognition opportunities beyond the plaque for substantial donations of $5,000 or more.
Of course, Market Street Railway appreciates donations of any size to support the San Francisco Railway Museum. We look forward to honoring our major donors on September 14, and hope, through your generosity, that we have to make a bigger plaque to include new names, and in turn will have the wherewithal to add new features to the museum.
Your donations can be made by check to Market Street Railway (write ‘museum fund’ in the memo line of the check) and sent to our office address on the back page, or online (click here, then press the ‘museum fund’ button on the donation page). Thanks!
Omnibus Railroad Society
$250-499
Powell Street Railroad Society
$500-999
Ferries & Cliff House Railway Society
$1,000-2,499
Cal Cable Society
$2,500-4,999
United Railroads Society
$5,000-9,999
O'Shaughnessy Society
$10,000-24,999
Car No. 1 Society
$25,000+
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