Financial Fundamentals for Historic House Museums

By (author) Rebekah Beaulieu

Publication date:

09 August 2017

Length of book:

184 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781538100301

The first of its kind to offer a discussion of financial management particular to historic house museums, this book is a vital resource to preservationists, staff, volunteers, and board members of historic houses. A reference tool that is accessible in approach yet comprehensive in scope, this book takes you step by step through securing and managing a historic house museum for years to come.

In straightforward language, utilizing case studies from historic house museums, and providing sample documents to get you started, Financial Fundamentals for Historic House Museums guides you on how to:

Incorporate as a tax-exempt organization
Find historic property designation options and successfully apply
Understand contributed income opportunities and raise money
Create sustainable earned income opportunities
Understand basic accounting and financial planning to ensure the future of your historic house museum.

Chapter One: Building the Foundation: Organizational Structure and Incorporation
Chapter Two: The Welcome Mat: Understanding Contributed Income
Chapter Three: Brick by Brick: Earned Revenue Opportunities
Chapter Four: The Door Swings Both Ways: Managing Income and Expenses
Chapter Five: Blueprints for the Future: Financial Forecasting and Strategic Planning
Chapter Six: Conclusion

With this superb guidebook, Rebekah Beaulieu fills a central need for preservationists and house museums all over America. In crisp, clear prose, and using valuable case studies throughout, she walks us step-by-step through the critical but often daunting financial and organizational tasks that can help ensure a long life as a house museum, from incorporation and designation to fundraising, budgeting, and long-term strategic planning. There are roughly 15,000 house museums in the United States, and every one of them could benefit from this remarkable volume.