Clarkdale AZ (November 27, 2020) – The Verde Historical Society Board of Directors and Clemenceau Heritage Museum staff and volunteers have been keeping busy behind the scenes during this year of challenges as the health pandemic has been wreaking havoc locally and around the world. Mask wearing, social distancing, web visits, internet connections, even the hand-held telephone all have new meaning in the volunteers lives as life goes on in spite of the museum facility being closed and often unoccupied for many months.
According to Kip Williams, Museum Director,”normally the all volunteer staff of the society and museum are able to carry out daily duties including accessioning new materials, refreshing exhibits, maintaining the Verde Valley Railroads diorama exhibit, selling books, toys and games in the gift shop while also hosting and entertaining visitors from local, state, out-of-state communities and foreign countries from all over the world. While the daily face-to-face contact with public visitors is on hold however, most of the work of running the organization and museum continues safely under CDC, Yavapai County, city and state and federal guidelines.”
Volunteers continue to accept items donated to the collection by appointment only. Collecting, accessioning and cataloging work days continue. The railroad team still runs the various trains to help keep the tracks cleaned. The gift shop sales staff has new stock inventoried and artfully displayed for holiday shoppers who can shop for Verde Valley history related gifts by appointment only and at their leisure. To make an appointment for any museum use, please call: 928-634-2868 or e-mail: clemenceauheritagemuseum@
While the daily volunteers await the reopening of the museum to the public, new safety measures are being installed throughout the museum including wearing a mask to enter as well as plexiglass safety barriers and hand sanitizing stations. New safety guidelines will be appropriately posted for visitors to abide by for entry and safe visitation at the museum when the time comes to reopen in 2021.
As that re-opening approaches, volunteers are needed as some have been lost by relocating beyond the Verde Valley or out of state. If history is your passion or if playing with trains is your hobby; if you have retail sales, library or bookstore experience, or would like to host or hostess at the visitor desk, please consider giving a couple of hours to supporting and promoting local Verde Valley History. Training and ongoing support is provided for all aspects of museum operations. Membership in the Verde Historical Society and a minimum of two hours of time is required. Contact the Clemenceau Heritage Museum by phone: 928-634-2868 or e-mail: clemenceauheritagemuseum@
