The Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association is gathering start-up funds for a discovery museum at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
“We have $5,000 set aside but we want to set aside as much additional money from the Old Time Bluegrass Festival to hire a professional grant writer,” said AMIA board member Anna McAtee.
McAtee reported that AMIA has formed a partnership with the Children”s Museum of Art and Science. “They”ve been looking for a site for a long time,” McAtee reported.
CMAS would use the discovery museum for programs in science, art and history.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located off State Route 53 in Lower Lake. The discovery museum would occupy 10,000 square feet on the west side of the park entrance road.
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is on a list of parks slated to be closed in response to state budget reductions. A local grassroots effort has gathered signatures of opposition to local state parks being closed.
McAtee reported that the state has offered to work with AMIA on lease options for the site so that it will continue to be accessible in the event that the park is closed
A project description states that the center will be rustic in design. “The exterior of the building resembles the ranch house and barns currently located on the property, and provides the visitor with the feeling that they have stepped back in time.”
A 500-seat capacity amphitheater will be located adjacent to the back of the property and provide a venue for performing arts.
Crucial fundraiser for the project will be the Old Time Bluegrass Festival, which is taking place Saturday, Sept. 13, and Sunday, Sept. 14, at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park.
McAtee said AMIA is holding a special membership drive for $100 that includes four tickets to the festival and a T-shirt. “These memberships are very critical,” McAtee said. “The memberships we have that are earmarked for the Bluegrass festival will go into the startup fund.”
Checks payable to AMIA should include a notation for “Discovery Center Startup Fund.” Please mail contributions to PO Box 672, Lower Lake, CA 95457.
McAtee said that tickets to the Old Time Bluegrass Festival will become available during the first week in June. For more information, visit www.andersonmarsh.org.
For more information about the discovery center, please call Frank and Anna McAtee, 994-0958; or CMAS President Carolynn Jarrett, 994-2878.
Contact Cynthia Parkhill at cparkhill@clearlakeobserver.com.
