The Pratt Museum in Homer is struggling with urgent roof repairs, the result of years of deferred maintenance that have led to serious structural problems. Estimated repair costs have skyrocketed to $1.3 million.
To secure the necessary funds, the Pratt Museum has applied for a grant and is asking the state for support. The Homer Society of Natural History, which operates as the Pratt Museum, has asked the Alaska Legislature for funds for a capital project in the next fiscal year.
Although the state legislature had allocated $250,000 for the project in the capital budget for this fiscal year, Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed the final version.
Now the museum must turn to other sources of funding, but according to Executive Director Patricia Relay, those options require the support of the City of Homer.
“If the city of Homer doesn’t make us a legislative priority, we have no influence,” Relay said.
The museum is asking the Homer City Council to prioritize the project and set aside $350,000 as a sign of support. Relay said the Rasmuson Foundation is ready for the city to provide money for the roof replacement.
“As soon as they make the bid, Rasmuson is keen to get in with at least $250,000,” Relay said.
In a letter to the council, Alaska Senate President Gary Stevens spoke in favor of the roof repair project. In the letter, he emphasized the importance of the museum to the community and said that the majority of the Legislature supported the project despite Dunleavy’s veto. Stevens wrote that he added funding for the roof repairs in the Senate version of the capital budget.
Museums Alaska, the state’s museum association, also wrote to the council expressing its support and explaining the broader funding strategy.
The museum is still struggling with roof damage, with cracked beams and leaks endangering exhibits and office computers. Problems with a faulty control unit for the ventilation and heating systems also threaten the preservation of delicate artifacts.
Relay explained that they lack the financial resources to address these issues, which impacts what the museum offers.
“The impact of this deferred maintenance is impacting our ability to actually modernize permanent exhibitions and the like,” Relay said.
The Pratt Museum remains open and continues to offer regular exhibitions and events while overcoming various funding hurdles.
