Museum Dedicates New Sandi Thorne Research Center

From MoM:Pleasanton’s Museum on Main is a proud to announce the opening of the Sandi Thorne Research Center at the Museum. On Friday, September 28, a small group of Museum Board members, staff and volunteers gathered with Sandi’s family to dedicate the new research center. One of the things that Sandi liked to do for the Museum was research upcoming exhibits. These projects often took her to the microfilm newspaper collection at the Livermore Library, where the older reader-printers were prone to a variety of frustrating issues. Recently the Tri-Valley Herald gave the Museum its microfilm collection. Without a reader, however, the Museum would not be able to make use of this tremendous resource. The Board and staff felt that buying a microfilm reader and the associated hardware would be a great way to honor Sandi. More than that, they wanted to create the Sandi Thorne Research Center as a space for people to come and do research using the museum’s collection in their own community. Shortly, the Museum will be able to provide access to more of its online collection of photographs and documents as well as genealogical material.

Since starting as a volunteer in 2004, Sandi gave the Museum her time, her sweat, her ideas, and her heart. She helped inventory collections, install exhibits, plan fundraisers, and govern the museum as a board member and officer. Executive Director Jim DeMersman stated, “The Board, staff, and Sandi’s family thought that this would be a fitting way to honor her and to use the contributions that were given to the Museum in her memory.” This furthers one of the Museum’s goals of expanding access to our collection to more people,” he added.

The Research Center will be open on a regular basis during normal Museum hours. Appointment with the Museum staff is highly recommended to facilitate the ease of retrieving materials.

The Museum on Main is located at 603 Main Street in historic downtown Pleasanton. It is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. For more information about current exhibits and programs, visit the Museum’s web site at www.museumonmain.org or call (925) 462-2766.

Images via MoM