Des Plaines Historical Society's Interlocal Agreement
Used As Model At National Conference

By KAREN M. HENRIKSON, Public Relations Technician, City of Des Plaines

Des Plaines, Illinois Historical Museum Director Joy Matthiessen has a good thing going — it's the INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE DES PLAINES HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THE CITY OF DES PLAINES, and the DES PLAINES PARK DISTRICT. In fact, the Des Plaines Agreement was presented as a model at the 1991 American Association for State and Local History's National Conference held this past summer in Dearborn, Michigan.

Ms. Matthiessen was joined by museum directors from Arlington Heights, Downers Grove, and West Chicago on a panel called "Let's Make A Deal: Collaborations Between Local History Societies and Governments."

The panelists discussed ways to resolve conflicts and the benefits of a steady source of income for the museum that often results when local governmental entities collaborate.

Local government may comprise different combinations of political entities or subdivisions. For example, the park district may be under the jurisdiction of the municipality in one community and in another be a separate taxing body. The panelists attested that an interlocal government agreement lends to creating a steady, more "overall community oriented" museum by combining the resources of two or more subdivisions.

The Des Plaines Museum's Interlocal Agreement was originally developed in 1985 and defines the roles of each agency. For example, the historical society operates and administers the museum facility, handles routine maintenance, updates exhibits, and conducts community education programs at the museum and in the community. The agreement has undergone minor revisions over the years and is reviewed every three years.

In explaining the role of the historical society, the agreement clearly states, ". . . the museum may charge an admission fee provided that any such museum shall be open to the public without charge for at least one day each week, and, accompanied by a teacher, to the children in actual attendance upon grades kindergarten through twelve in any of the schools in the State at all time for special services and for admission to special facilities within any aquarium or museum for the education, entertainment or convenience of visitors."

The city lends financial support for personnel, contractual services and ground maintenance and the park district sustains the public park distinction, land rights, and personnel. The agreement also states that the Des Plaines Park District Board will annually determine an amount that will be contributed to the museum to help defray and assist with personnel expenses.

Besides the money appropriated for through the agreements, the historical society board, which governs and sets policy for the museum holds various fund raising projects throughout the year. In Des Plaines the three major fund raising events, the Antique Fair & Flea Market, the July 4th Ice Cream Social; and the Victorian Christmas help provide funding for museum upkeep; exhibits; events and personnel expenses.

The agreement designates that the historical society board is the ultimate governing body of the museum. As stated in the agreement the premises and its management shall be under the direction of this board. The board is comprised of four officers and nine members at large with two representatives of the city and park and the museum director acting as a non-voting member. The board organization is specified in the society's constitution and by-laws.

The agreement does lend itself to alteration prior to its three year termination provided there is a consensus among the agencies involved.

While such an agreement will not assure that a historical museum will have constant, solvent financing during economic crises, it does succeed in making a museum a more "community oriented" priority. With the three agencies having a vested interest. . . . Such agreements provide a steady flow of income, assists in securing a professional staff, and maintaining support services. On a more humanitarian note, the agreement succeeds in creating and generating positive public relations and attitudes among all the agencies and filtering into the community.

As pointed out by the panelists, there are a few things to be aware of when agreement relationships become a reality. Be cognizant of differing priorities. Each agency, of course, has individual goals and objectives and these could lead to hidden agendas. It is important to keep communication lines open. Society board meetings are, therefore, all the more important and consistent representation by all agencies a must.

March 1992 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 9

Common goals for the museum must be reached by the board members for the museum.

In Des Plaines the society meets monthly in the historical museum, formerly the Kinder family home located near the city's downtown. It is a brick Queen Ann, built originally in 1906 for the town's hardware merchant Benjamin Kinder. The historical society originally opened the home in 1970. It was physically moved to another location in the downtown area in 1978. Joy Matthiessen was hired by the historical society board in 1989.

Approximately fifty museum directors, staff volunteers and personnel involved in all aspects of museums attended the interlocal agreement session, while approximately 750 individuals participated in the American Association For State & Local History Conference. Other panel participants with Des Plaines' Joy Matthiessen were Chairman Chris Meier, former Administrator for the Arlington Heights Historical Museum; Carol Buckley, Curator, Downers Grove Historical Museum; and LuAnn Bombard, Director, West Chicago Historical Museum.

As a Vice President for the Historical Administration Program Association (HAPA) for Eastern Illinois University, Matthiessen encourages professional and/or volunteer museum staff to get involved in HAPA events. The organization is comprised of approximately 120 individuals from around the United States. The group plans and sponsors an annual symposium each April in Charleston, Illinois for museum professionals and volunteers and holds informal gatherings at national conferences. HAPA is also establishing a scholarship fund for students interested in historical administration.

For more information on interlocal agreements for historical museums, HAPA, or other related matters, call Ms. Matthiessen at (708) 391-5399 or write to her at the Des Plaines Historical Society Museum, 789 Pearson St., Des Plaines, Illinois 60016. •

Page 10 / Illinois Municipal Review / March 1992