Below are documents showing the stated original purpose of the Gatchell Museum Association (first called the Gatchell Museum Foundation) which was to support daily operational costs at the museum. These public documents can be found at the Johnson County, WY archived commissioner meeting minutes here and by conducting a business lookup on the WY Secretary of State webpage here. Copies of all nonprofit organizations’ yearly tax filings can be found on the IRS webpage.
Separation of Museum and Foundation
After careful consideration and reflection, the Governing Board of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum has terminated the relationship with the Gatchell Museum Foundation (formally known as the Gatchell Museum Association) and formally releases that organization from any further obligation to support the Museum.
Recently, it has become clear that severing ties between the two entities is the most beneficial for both organizations. We thank all members of the Foundation who offered their support to the museum and we wish the best for all in future endeavors.
We ask that the Foundation no longer use the Gatchell name moving forward, to eliminate confusion within our community.
What happens to your membership benefits:
When you purchased or were gifted your membership, the organization selling it to you was the GMA. They offered various benefits which the museum honored (such as admission passes, store discounts, etc.). We at the museum recognize that memberships were purchased because you wanted to support the museum itself, and it is for that reason that we will be honoring the benefits through the museum’s current fiscal year – until June 30, 2024. If you have further questions about your purchase of a membership or any donations you made to the GMA (such as at Fall Gathering or Spring Roundup fundraisers), we suggest you send your inquiries directly to the GMA (PO Box 474, Buffalo, WY 82834).
What happens to your subscription of the Sentry?
Like the other membership benefits, your subscription to the Sentry was originally a part of your membership purchase. However, the museum now owns full copyrights to the publication and we intend to continue distributing it on a quarterly basis. If your GMA membership is current (or only recently expired), we will send copies through the end of the museum’s fiscal year – June 30, 2024.
The museum is not offering memberships. Instead, we are now offering subscriptions for the Sentry. A base subscription is $40 annually. Visit the museum’s Shop webpage for more info.
To the museum community and Johnson County community: Thank You for your longtime support of the museum. It was through community efforts that the museum first opened its doors in 1957 and it would not be the thriving, award-winning, and active place it is today without you.
The mission of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum remains “To sustain Jim Gatchell’s vision of preserving the history of Johnson County, Wyoming through education and the collection and conservation of art and artifacts.” We hope that community members will join us as we continue to celebrate the legacy of the Gatchell family and the rich history of Johnson County.
Members of the Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum Governing Board
Kathleen Connell, chairperson; Sabina Damone, vice-chair; Lynn Young, secretary; Craig Cope, treasurer, Cynthia Pallister, member
