Museum 1/2 Cent Sales Tax Project

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Art rendering of entrance into the new Kool-Aid exhibit.

When Hastings residents approved to extend collecting an additional half-cent of sales tax, they made possible a large renovation project at the Museum. This includes collection storage improvements and the construction of a new and expanded Naval Ammunition Depot exhibit and local history displays. Six years in, we are making progress behind the scenes, and we would like to share where we are on this journey to improve the facility for our community.

Exhibit Renovations

Goal: We have heard from our community and you want more local history exhibits that change and an exhibit dedicated to the Naval Ammunition Depot. The sales tax allocations is what makes this possible. The funds raised will create a new and expanded Naval Ammunition Depot and 20th Century local history exhibit on the upper level of the museum.

Collections storage

Goal: Build efficiency in collection work by bring all of the collections together in one place, create more capacity through compact (rolling) shelving units, create safe storage through better climate control and proper housing, improve documentation and inventory records, digitize records to include images to improve research abilities, and provide each artifact with proper supportive and protective housing (boxes , etc.).

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When Hastings residents approved to extend collecting an additional half-cent of sales tax, they made possible a large renovation project at the Museum. This includes collection storage improvements and the construction of a new and expanded Naval Ammunition Depot exhibit and local history displays. Six years in, we are making progress behind the scenes, and we would like to share where we are on this journey to improve the facility for our community.

Exhibit Renovations

Goal: We have heard from our community and you want more local history exhibits that change and an exhibit dedicated to the Naval Ammunition Depot. The sales tax allocations is what makes this possible. The funds raised will create a new and expanded Naval Ammunition Depot and 20th Century local history exhibit on the upper level of the museum.

Collections storage

Goal: Build efficiency in collection work by bring all of the collections together in one place, create more capacity through compact (rolling) shelving units, create safe storage through better climate control and proper housing, improve documentation and inventory records, digitize records to include images to improve research abilities, and provide each artifact with proper supportive and protective housing (boxes , etc.).

Please take the time to provide feedback below and subscribe to stay informed.

  • NAD and Local History Exhibit Update

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    The Naval Ammunition Depot and local history gallery are slated to replace the aged displays on the east side of the top floor. Detailed planning and design of this exhibit will begin once the Kool-Aid exhibit construction is underway. When collection storage is complete in the old Kool-Aid exhibit space, staff will have room to remove the existing displays on the upper level, allowing the space for the new exhibits to be built.

    Below are renderings of what the space could look like.

  • New Kool-Aid Exhibit

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    New Entrance The current Kool-Aid exhibit is over 20 years old and has drawn thousands of people to Hastings from all over the country. It has been a great exhibit but it is time for a change. We wanted to re-imagine what the space could look like and address some of the pitfall we have discovered with the design of the old space.

    Over the years, we have observed visitors within the space and asked for input. What we learned is that people come expecting to see Kool-Aid and they do not identify the DM Perkins General Merchandise recreation as part of that story. Thus, they tend to seek out what is the iconic imagery of the Kool-Aid Man and miss part of the early history. The new exhibit will embrace the bright colors of the drink mix and have the iconic Kool-Aid Man greeting visitors from the beginning and guiding them into the space.

    Consolidated Perkins Story





    History buffs will not be disappointed either. On-third of the exhibit will still share the life story of Edwin Perkins and his work and inspiration leading up to the development of his most successful product.






    We hope to work with the selected contractors to have the exhibit open in 2025. This exhibit is funded through the Hastings Museum Foundation and other granting sources. The design phase of the new Kool-Aid exhibit is 95% complete. It will go out for a build bid in 2024.


    Below are renderings from the design.


  • Improved Collection Care

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    Prior to 2018, the Hastings Museum collections were stored on open garage shelves, which are an inefficient use of space. Like other museums, space is in short supply and artifacts were stored in seven different areas of the building. This complicated locating objects for display purposes. In addition, some of these locations do not have proper climate control. As a strategic measure to increase our efficiency and improve collections care, we determined that we would bring all of the collections together in one area by installing compact mobile storage units and updating climate control.

    Image 1



    Image 2 Image 1: The condition of collection storage prior to project.





    Image 2: Mobile storage systems have carriages under the shelves that move along a track system, eliminating the need for multiple isles and makes better use of room space by expanding the amount of shelving that can be used.


    Due to the potential weight load, the lower level is destined to be mostly collection storage. However, the magnitude of making these changes requires several stages, not only for the storage aspect but also for moving exhibits. The first phase of the collection project began in 2018. Collections were removed from two existing storage areas to allow for new climate control systems to be installed and make way for the new shelving.

    The first set of mobile shelves was installed in 2019 using funds raised from collected sales tax money. Staff immediately began processing artifacts to fill the shelves. This process includes cleaning each item, photo documenting, updating the records, providing proper support within a container (usually an acid free box), and assigning specific location within the storage system. The result of this work will lead to the most efficient use of limited space and decrease staff time for locating items, increasing response time to patron inquiries, and allowing exhibit staff to identify artifacts suitable for display without having to open every box.


    Image 3




    While the first phase of physical renovations is complete, the rehousing of artifacts will be on-going for some years. The second phase will add additional compact storage in the old Kool-Aid exhibit area and cannot begin until the new exhibit is complete.

    Image 3: Artifacts stored on the new shelves have protective boxes and are assigned a specific location within the system.






Page last updated: 27 Feb 2024, 11:29 AM