Museum Closed

The Modoc County Board of Supervisors closed the museum in Alturas.

This is a really enjoyable museum. When taking my boys camping in the desert or traveling that direction we ALWAYS stopped at the museum. They asked to stop there. We have had the practice of stopping at every small town museum we come across in our travels. The one in Alturas is among the best.

Last week my third generation camped with me and a highlight was to introduce them to this museum. "Closed".

I asked next door about the "Closed" sign. The Chamber of Commerce rep wondered aloud if any of the Board had ever been to the museum. "They didn't see it as valuable to the community." Is this an accurate perception of Board values?

Six other cars stopped to see the museum while we were in the parking lot on a Monday. All were disappointed. Modoc County history is really interesting - Indians, pioneers, nature, ranches, mail order brides, baseball teams, weird stuff that's only in a museum...

I know there are budgets to deal with. I know everyone has their own pet item they believe shouldn't be cut. But... But... This museum had one staff person, plus volunteers. It charged money to get in. It doesn't need to be open every day nor year round. Weekends only? Three days a week?

America is known in other parts of the world as being largely a-historical regarding our own roots let alone that of others. History on this micro scale answers part of the "why did they come here?" question. This answer in turn provides context for "Why are we here?" Together these answers: seen, and heard, and touched in a museum, in a community, in a county, in a state, in a country, in the world - provide ballast for securing the future. Isn't that the purpose of the B.O.S.?

Modoc County has helped contribute to their own county's illiteracy. And mine.

Dear B.O.S.: Open it up to my third generation and the multiple generations in your own valley.

Modoc County
Board of Supervisors
204 S. Court St.
Alturas, Ca. 96101