ALTUS — The Museum of the Western Prairie, closed for repairs since July 17, 2007, faces an uncertain future. Bart McClenny, the director of the museum, says recent cuts to the budget of the Oklahoma Historical Society, which operates the facility, may effect the museum's prospects. "The OHS is trying to absorb a 4.8% cut, which for the Museums Division means a loss of nearly $300,000," McClenny says. "So something significant, somewhere, has to go to make up the difference. And we wouldn't be the only one."

The museum closed nearly two years ago to remove asbestos in the original part of the building, completed in 1970. The process caused significant damage to approximately half of the museum, destroying most of the exhibit spaces. "Of course the artifacts were removed and are safe, stored in another part of the building," says McClenny, "but there's a lot of recovery work yet to be done." Jim Atkinson, of GBA Architects in Altus, has been contracted to rebuild the effected portions, and a final plan was recently completed. "Money exists to restore the museum," says McClenny, "but our future as a part of the Oklahoma Historical Society is unclear." He notes that state senator Mike Schulz recently acquired $60,000 near the end of the last legislative session. "We certainly appreciate the money, but it will only address the immediate needs of the museum."

Ideally, the OHS would like for the community to assume responsibility for the museum. The details of such an arrangement have not been outlined, but the state might continue to subsidize the operation, at least initially. "But if you approach the museum from a cost-cutting standpoint, you can see it wouldn't make sense for the OHS to play a large financial role, as it has since 1973. Somewhere it has to become cheaper for the OHS, otherwise there's no benefit," cautions McClenny. "The community will have to assist the museum more financially--if not initially, then certainly at some point. And that will be a significant expense," he adds. "Currently the OHS invests as much as $100,000 a year in the museum." McClenny says the facility has operated on a virtual shoestring for years. "Every cut, since the early 1990s, we've lost something. I'm the only full-time employee left. For a museum this size, that's unusual in the regular museum world." But for the state system, it's a reality.

"In the 1970s, the OHS had many institutions added to its operation by the Legislature." Since then the state organization has struggled with dozens of museums and sites, and too little funding. "At some point, I guess something has to change." But McClenny speculates some places may not survive after being released. "It's sad, but if there's no money, or not enough money, then failure is a possibility."

He notes some parts of the state offer better support for a museum than others. "I'm not saying Altus and Southwest Oklahoma don't support the museum, both definitely do, but we're not oil rich, or metropolitan, or on an interstate. We're a rural community with an unusually nice museum, but we can't generate the attendance figures or the money," which are seen as critical to the OHS continuing to support the museum fully. "I'd like to think it's a level playing field across the state, but it isn't," McClenny adds. "When cuts have to be made, we're measured against institutions out of our class." It might be unfair, he says, but repeats that if cuts have to be made, then someone has to be cut. "It's hard to argue that the OHS should cut a strong, well-funded museum in favor of a smaller museum, even if the smaller museum has a relative handicap." Ironically, McClenny points out that as a state-funded agency, local tax money will still support other OHS facilities. "Even if we lose Altus," he says, "Southwest Oklahoma will continue to support other OHS facilities in other parts of the state through taxation."

When asked if he's optimistic about the future of the museum, McClenny pauses. "I'd like to think there's a silver lining, but it's hard to see because of the big, dark cloud it surrounds." He adds, "it's important that the community and the area support the museum, whatever the outcome." For now, he suggests, people should contact their elected officials to express concern and support for the museum. "We've been a community resource for decades. We add to the quality of life in Southwest Oklahoma. I'd hate to see the museum falter." And with that he returns to work inside the building, turning away a group of visitors approaching the door, who didn't realize the museum was closed.