Donations Keep Campbell Museums Open to the Public

This Valley has a rich history, from agricultural first to firsts in high tech and many, many other fields.

A connection to this history can be found right here in Campbell at the and the , a 1925 English Tudor-Style home listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.

But in order to keep this connection open to the public, the Campbell Historical Museum & Ainsley House Foundation raises funds year-round.

Tonight, it will be making a $44,929.60 donation to the city of Campbell to benefit the museums.

The foundation was founded in 1993 to provide financial and volunteer support to the . The money donated to the city comes from various fundraising efforts put on by the foundation, including the , the foundation's biggest fundraiser. It sells confections at the eight summer events.

Special fundraising events throughout the year, memberships to the museums as well as sponsors and donations throughout the year help the foundation keep the museums open. has donated annually and this year the Kiwanis Club of Campbell also donated.

"The foundation is hugely important," says , Campbell Museum Director. "Without the foundation, the city wouldn’t be able to support the museum. It keeps the doors open for all of our programs, including the one that allows our 3rd through 5th graders to come here during the school year. We also have our Family Fun Fridays going on during the summer. These donations are a huge part of our budget."

The museum will kick off its Family Fun Fridays this Friday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arts and crafts will be available and the cost is $5 and free for members.

Along with these events, the museum also serves about 5,000 school children in and around Campbell.

"Those children would’t be learning about their history if these donations weren't made," Lange says. "I think we are a good community and educational resource and proud to be part of Campbell."