ADMINISTRATOR’S LETTER
By Russell M. Swody, Historic Site Administrator

2008 was a busy and challenging year. 2009 promises to be even more challenging.
We are all still reeling from the devastating economy and the speed at which it has hit us. There doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. Like all of us, the Commonwealth has had to make many significant cuts in its budget and more are probably coming. The Governor is now telling us layoffs are likely. The site’s budgets have been slashed and or eliminated completely. There is some good news. At this point we will move forward with the repair to the leaking domestic waterline running from the Weiser house to the maintenance building and includes replacing the drinking fountain. This line has been shut down for nearly two years. We are grateful to have this project since most of our other sites have had many projects cancelled for this fiscal year. Because of the near elimination of our state budget for purchases of office, janitorial, maintenance and housekeeping supplies, the Friends generously agreed to fund these items to the best of their ability. The state will still pay utilities and gas for the vehicles. In spite of all of this we march forward.

On a brighter note, we have included the full 2009 calendar of events. Note that although we are closed until April 2, 2009 we will be open for Charter day on Sunday, March 8, 2009. As a free event, we hope many of you will take advantage of all that will be offered. The staff, Friends board and volunteers are working hard to maintain all of our usual programs plus a new offering or two in spite of the economic challenges. Are ability to plan and implement a 2009 calendar of events is because we can rely on the Friends of the Conrad Weiser Homestead and the support they and you, its members, donors and volunteers provide to them and us.

All of the sites and museums administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission have undergone a process of self-study and review. The process, called Planning our Future, took a systematic look at our sites and resources. The committee strove to determine the best and highest uses for or sites given our declining state resources. This administrator served on the committee and can tell you this assignment was a tremendous challenge. The report is competed and now goes to our Bureau’s director and division chiefs. When they are finished reviewing the report the recommendations will be forwarded to the Agency’s Executive Director and PHMC’s Board of Commissioners in March. Public meetings will be scheduled prior to final recommendations being voted on by the Board of Commissioners this summer. We will do our best to keep you updated about the future of the Conrad Weiser Homestead as we are updated.

As always I want to take a moment to thank our Friends of the Conrad Weiser Homestead’s for their continued hard work and financial support of the site and our projects. We couldn’t do it without them and you, our dedicated members, volunteers and staff. This is especially true during this brutal economy and uncertain future.

We hope to see many of you at our upcoming events!
Warmest regards,
Russ Swody

Conrad Weiser Homestead
28 Weiser Lane
Womelsdorf, PA 19567
610-589-2934
info@conradweiserhomestead.org

The site is administered by the PHMC and aided by the Friends of the Conrad Weiser Homestead.

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