Members of the Lansing Regional Prisons Museum board of directors are planning for the future and working toward making the museum a reality. During a meeting on Friday, board members approved creating postcards featuring architect Bill Johnson’s drawing of the museum. The postcards will be distributed at the upcoming American Corrections Association conference in Kansas City. “We spoke about putting information in the bags for the conference,” said Shanae Randolph, Lansing economic development director. “With the postcard, we can provide information and people can still (mail the card).” According to Randolph, the postcards are $180 per thousand. United States Disciplinary Barracks Chief of Staff Peter Grande displayed a postcard that was distributed by ACA at the last conference. “Fliers will go in the trash,” Grande said. Randolph reported that the museum’s Web site, www.ksprisonsmuseum.org, had gone live. “I’m excited about getting going,” Randolph said. “I think it’s a great start.” The site is within the city of Lansing’s Web site. Randolph said she appreciates input on the site and can add information or different elements about the museum and the organization. Area organizations and correctional institutions can also link to the Web site, though Randolph said links would be allowed at the city’s discretion. Also in the meeting: * COLLECTION — Laura Phillippi, Lansing Historical Museum site supervisor, provided an update on the museum collection. “People have been coming out of the walls with prison items,” Phillippi said. Phillippi reported that a patron offered to donate furniture that was made by Lansing inmates. “I told her I’d make room,” Phillippi said. Approximately 220 prisoner-related photos have been collected, along with art objects, contraband and archival information. The pieces in the collection are being catalogued. “We haven’t gone forward with collecting items because we are lacking the room to store it,” Randolph said. Johnson suggested providing information about the kind of artifacts needed for the museum to local newspapers as a way to reach a larger number of people. * FUNDING — The board members reviewed the treasurer’s report, which had a balance of $19,430. Randolph reported that final dollar amounts from fund-raising efforts at the Brew, Blues and Barbecue competition had not been determined. U.S. Rep. Nancy Boyda, D-Second District, included a $1.18 million earmark for the prisons museum in her request to the appropriations committee. According to Randolph, the federal funds could not be used for construction of a museum building, but used to complete the interior. “It would be a reality, not a ‘hope’ if it was already built,” Bill Johnson said. Board member Sarah Huffman asked about a timeline to use the funds should the earmark be approved. Randolph said she had not been informed of a deadline for the funding. Bob Ulin requested a list of costs for the project, including the value of the land and labor provided by Lansing Correctional Facility inmates. “I’m asking how much we really need and what do we need it for?” Ulin said. Mayor Kenneth Bernard said a full expense report would be available the next time the board meets. * GIFT SHOP — Board members also discussed establishing the prison museum gift shop as a way to generate cash flow for the organization. Randolph suggested creating postcards featuring photos, drawings or historical information about the different correctional institutions in the area. “Post cards don’t bring in a lot, but we want to get started,” Randolph said. The board did not establish a meeting time for July.
