Museum board looks at update in Wahkpa Chu'gn interp center lighting

The H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum Board met Monday to consider a possible update to the Wahkpa Chu’gn Interpretative Center, hear updates on museum activity and discuss the possible return of the summer solstice event.

Board Vice-Chair David Sageser proposed that old lights in the Interpretative Center be switched out in favor of LED lights for the sake of energy and cost efficiency.

Sageser said he ran a light check on the bulbs the building is using now and they are creating a lot of heat that needs to be compensated for with air conditioning, a problem that LEDs can solve.

“You’ve basically got a 2,500 watt heater on all the time that we’re fighting with air conditioning,” he said.

He said between the reduction in heat generated, greater longevity and generally better energy efficiency of LEDs they seem like a sensible investment.

Board Chair Lela Patera said she would bring the issue up to H. Earl and Margaret Turner Clack Memorial Museum Foundation President Elaine Morse, who was not able to be at this month’s meeting, the next time she saw her.

Patera said she doubts there will be any objection to the upgrade.

She said Morse has been spending much of her time recently working on the new location for the museum, the former Griggs Printing Building on the 10 Block of Fifth Avenue.

She also said a state archeologist will be visiting the area July 6 to do some mapping and he’s invited members of the board to meet him and listen to the talk he’s planning to give while here.

Patera said she’s hoping the Buffalo Jump’s guides will be able to attend as well.

Board members also discussed the possibility of bringing back the Summer Solstice event next year at the Buffalo Jump, possibly as a fundraiser, including snacks and drinks, speakers, dances and smudging.

Board Member Val Hickman also said the foundation has been approved to take over the museum gift shop after getting approval from the Hill County Commission, a shift that will make purchasing for the shop easier.

Museum Manager Emily Mayer said May was a quiet month for the museum and Buffalo Jump overall, but they have had plenty of school tours.