Museum of Ceramics continues operating following funding loss
By MICHAEL D. McELWAIN / mmcelwain@reviewonline.comArticle Photos
EAST LIVERPOOL - After a state funding loss, the future existence of the Museum of Ceramics was in jeopardy.
But just a few months later - and despite the 93 percent reduction in funding - the museum is still open and under the control of a new management team.
The museum is now sustained through donations, and Wednesday's gift of $1,000 from the East Liverpool Historical Society is one such example, according to Sarah Vodrey, museum director.
"The historical society has been a wonderful supporter of the Museum of Ceramics since the beginning," Vodrey said. "Without that support, there would be no museum."
William A. Gray, treasurer of the local historic society, was on hand for the check presentation.
But the society's connection with the museum is more than just monetary.
"The historical society actually owns about 60 percent of the collection at the museum," Gray said.
Vodrey said the transition from being a full-fledged member of the Ohio Historical Society to the current arrangement has been rough, but the museum endures.
"When we did get the news from the OHS, we hurried up and started a new group - the Museum of Ceramics Foundation. We got the non-profit status in record time, I think."
The hand off from state to local control happened only after the state recognized the foundation as acceptable.
"We now have day-to-day management of the museum," Vodrey said.
A total of five people serves on the foundation board including Tim Brooks, the president of the East Liverpool Historical Society.
The non-profit designation means the museum can accept donations from near and far.
"Hundreds of people across the nation have donated," Vodrey said. "From collectors, lovers of history, descendants of potters and visitors, we are very lucky to have that support."
The donations will keep the doors open until May.
In the meantime, Vodrey will add another title to her job description - fundraiser.
"Part of my job now is to go out and do that fundraising and explain why the museum is important," Vodrey said. "What I'd love to do is get the funding for the next 10 years, or many decades, straightened out so the survival of the museum is assured."
She already has part of her fundraising presentation ready.
"A little over a century ago, local people started the local historical society and had the forethought to collect items and remember their own, rich, history," Vodrey said. "Now it's our turn. Those people did that for us, and now it's time to continue that and protect our history for future generations."
