The National Corvette went through a similar cash crunch, and was technically
bankrupt until they got a 5-year financial boost from GM. it was obvious that
paid admissions wasn't going to cover the nut, so they got creative. They sought
benefactors, similar to University alumni campaigns, and raised a fairly good
sum there. Also, many cars were donated, either for display or sale, or in many
cases, both ( Ex: on display for six months & then sold) But, the real money
came from grassroot support of the Corvette enthusiests. They started selling
memberships, various levels, from $50-$2500. They also started a profitable gift
shop with many new and nostalgia items. About six times a year, they sponsor
"drive in" runs with celebs at the museum, and usually hold drag races, rallys,
poker runs etc. in conjunction with these events. They have a network of
Ambassadors (one in each club) to constantly promote from within. They paved the
area around the building with personalised bricks - $50 for a small brick, $600
for a large one- and sold 'em as fast as they could make 'em. The museum turned
a profit this year.
The only reason I bring all of this up is to suggest maybe they have a
management problem: If you ignore the community, it will ignore you. There are
many street rodders and racers that would support a shrine to hot rodding - if
they were only asked! I think a creative management team could make a go of this
this museum.............
Again, jusst my $.02
Ed
Jim Dincau wrote:
> Wes;
> I have been there three times now and I have enjoyed it immensely. I
> spent almost three hours looking at the Indy roadsters exhibit a couple of
> years ago, A J Watson is one of my heroes. I have never seen more than a
> handful of people in there at any one time though. Perhaps it just doesn't
> have the mass appeal we would like it to. The NHRA museum in Pomona is great
> also, If they were located together they both might draw better crowds.
>
> Jim in Palmdale\
>
> ----421 N. Palmer, Glendale, California----
> ----where real Indy cars were made-----
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Wester S Potter <wspotter@jps.net>
> To: Thomas E. Bryant <saltracer@awwwsome.com>; Glen Barrett
> <speedtimer@earthlink.net>
> Cc: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 1999 6:05 AM
> Subject: Re: Peterson Museum
>
> > That is certainly the best use for a corner with a rather strange history
> of
> > retail stores and failures. The monster truck perched twenty feet in the
> > air on the Fairfax side did nothing to pique my interest but once inside I
> > was enthralled with the dioramas and the L S history they described. The
> > place is well done from a visitors standpoint.
> > I used to work five blocks down Wilshire. The store (which dated from the
> > twenties) was closed 25 years ago after the second customer was shot and
> > killed in a robbery in the parking lot. This was in the "Miracle Mile"
> ...
> > in the '30's to '50's an extremely nice part of the Los Angeles shopping
> > scene. With the L A County Art Museum complex across the street and on to
> > the East for a couple of blocks and the La Brea tar pits right there, it
> has
> > been a big part of business, culture and a valuable part of oil production
> > history too.
> > The Petersen building is two blocks away, Bob Petersen has to get some
> > satisfaction from seeing the place on a frequent basis. Certainly a nice
> > thing to do for the community. I'm just wondering how they got so very
> far
> > in the hole financially.
> > Wes
> > ----------
> > > From: "Thomas E. Bryant" <saltracer@awwwsome.com>
> > > To: Glen Barrett <speedtimer@earthlink.net>
> > > CC: "land-speed@autox.team.net" <land-speed@autox.team.net>
> > > Subject: Re: Peterson Museum
> > > Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 16:26:17 -0800
> > >
> > >Glen,
> > >By my estimation that makes $40 Million Peterson has invested in this
> > >museum. It certainly should bear his name!
> > >
> > >Tom
> > >
> > >Glen Barrett wrote:
> > >>
> > >> In todays L.A. Times Robert E. Peterson has offered 25 million from
> > >> their private foundation to save the museum and pay off existing debts.
> > >> Approval is waiting from the board of goveners. they are hoping for a
> > >> final agreement in April 2000. How can they turn this down, but
> > >> stranger things have happened. Heres hoping they vote the right way.
> > >> Glen in Long Beach
> > >
> >
> >
|