BUSINESS PLAN: Eldon House

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Gilbert Stokes
5 years ago
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1 BUSINESS PLAN: Eldon House How does this service contribute to the results identified in the City of London Strategic Plan? A strong economy A vibrant and diverse community A green and growing City A sustainable infrastructure A caring community Eldon House is a heritage property dedicated to preserving and promoting the Harris family legacy and the history of London and Canada. Eldon House celebrates London s rich heritage and ensures a high quality of life is enjoyed by all, whether long time residents or new Londoners. We are a place where people from many backgrounds are welcomed and enjoy being. Our strategies preserve and celebrate our city s history and heritage, strengthen and embrace London s diversity and cultural identity, provide programming to support downtown vibrancy, welcome and support newcomers, and encourage volunteerism and community engagement. Name the main activities done to provide this service: Name The Activities Done To Provide This 1. Preserve and protect the historic home and property in its operation as a heritage museum 2. Showcase London s oldest home through year-round tours, events and celebrations 3. Research, exhibit and interpret artifacts and archives specific to the Harris Family over four generations of London history 4. Provide exciting programming through the delivery of public and educational programming, including Museum School, living history productions, a speaker series and other special events How Much Did We Do? (optional) Is The City Mandated To Provide This? Yes No No No Can The Level Of Be Changed? Yes Yes Yes Yes Page 35

2 What is the current state of this service? On January 1, 2013, in accordance with By-law A , the Eldon House Corporation was established and stewardship of the heritage property transitioned from Museum London to a separate municipal service board. With this change in governance, new opportunities for the heritage museum abound, with an increased focus on the facility, including the development of strategic, programming, branding, gardens and maintenance plans. However, as evidenced throughout the first 8 months of 2013, the real costs of operating and maintaining the heritage site exceed the current budget provided by the City. Recent achievements include a successful exhibit series commemorating the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812 highlighting roles of the Harris and Ryerse families during the war; and special events and celebrations, including a New Year s Day Levee, military garden party, speaker series, Canada Day Dinner and daytime family festivities, a Summer Tea Program, expansion of educational programming to join Museum School (a week long, experiential learning opportunity for elementary school children), along with the launch of an Eldon House & Gardens Gift Shop. Upcoming events include a September living history production based on the youngest Harris daughter entitled The Dream Life of Teresa Harris, participation in the popular Doors Open weekend, a November theatrical collaboration with local talent and a traditional Victorian Christmas. Ongoing projects include development of administrative capability for Eldon House, pursuit of a National Historic Site designation, revival of Friends of Eldon House, and identification of new funding opportunities. What is the future direction of this service? As Eldon House approaches its 180 th anniversary in 2014, it is ready for a fresh concept, bold new strategies and renewed dedication to its success, as a dynamic, cultural heritage site. By responsibly maintaining and stewarding this heritage gem, strengthening its capacity to serve Londoners and visitors with authentic, relevant and imaginative public and education programming, and developing premier gardens and grounds, Eldon House will shine as a time capsule of the founding of London, as well as a continuing landmark of its rich history. What do you plan to do? 2014 Ensure the financial sustainability of Eldon House Create a fulltime role of curator fundamental to future stewardship and success for London s oldest home Begin research on yet-to-be-interpreted Harris family archives lodged at Western Archives and Research Collections Centre (ARCC) Develop and maintain an electronic inventory of artifacts and Harris family archival research Address issues regarding ongoing management of worn facility equipment and artifacts Page 36

3 Enhance the museum s facility and collection maintenance plan Finalize a comprehensive 5-year gardens and grounds plan and budget Recognize the 180 th anniversary of Eldon House through a year-long program of special events and celebrations Acknowledge the centennial anniversary of the Great War, as it relates to the Harris family Hone a new partnership with Museum School to deliver weeklong experiential learning programs for elementary school children Extend special activities contributing to the vibrancy of the core, including the Summer Tea Program popular with tourists Continue developing new programming and exhibits significant to Eldon House through ongoing research found in Harris family documents and records at Western Archives and Research Collections Centre (ARCC) Implement a comprehensive 5-year gardens and grounds revitalization plan, including the creation of formal gardens, kitchen, cutting and heritage gardens, and restored operation of the onsite greenhouse Collaborate with fellow London museums, and other community partners, to strengthen London s heritage network Recognize significant Canadian milestones including the sesquicentennial anniversary of the confederation of Canada (2017) and the centennial anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge (2017), as they relate to Harris family history Key Performance Indicators Description of measure How Much? 1. (non-city operating) 50,304 64,042 68,600 69,972 71,371 72,798 74, Attendance 6,883 7,000 7,200 7,350 7,500 7,650 8, Community Profile (Media Recognition) Community Profile (Research Requests) This indicator will be measured in two ways by tracking: 1) number of media/social media hits; and 2) number of London history research requests How Well? Is Anyone Better Off? As Eldon House Corporation continues to gain momentum under its new separate governance model, it will continue to hone its processes and further quantify key performance indicators that measure the efficiency and effectiveness of its service delivery. Page 37

4 Eldon House Summary of Submitted 2014 Budget ($000's) Revised Budget Draft Budget Increase / (Decrease) Over Previous Year Expense Non Tax Net Property Tax Supported Expense Non Tax Net Property Tax Supported Expense Non Tax Net Property Tax Supported Prop. Tax Supported (%) Eldon House 226 (53) (64) (11) 0 0.0% Total to Maintain Existing Level Adjustments Submitted 226 (53) (64) (11) 0 0.0% % 2014 ELDON HOUSE AS SUBMITTED % Note: All figures are subject to rounding Budget Highlights: $ 000 % Maintaining Existing : Increase required to support collective agreements in personnel and information technology needs. Increase in Government grants to support new programming and hiring of summer students % Adjustments Required to Achieve Target Change Business Case - Full Time Curator for Eldon House % Increase/ (Decrease) over prior year budget % Page 38

5 Eldon House 2014 Budget As Submitted ($000's) Explanation of Adjustments 2014 Maintain Revised Requested Actual Existing Budget Adjustments Budget Increase/ (Decrease) Over 2013 Object Expenditures $ % Personnel Costs % Exhibition & Program % Facilities Maintenance & Utilities % General & Administration & Other % restated 2012 Total Expenditures % Admissions/Donations/Other (27) (29) (3) (32) (3) 9.0% Government Grants/Subsidies (23) (24) (8) (32) (8) 33.3% Sub-total - Non Property Tax (50) (53) (11) 0 (64) (11) 20.0% Net Budget % Additional Information / Commentary with respect to 2014 Draft Budget Maintaining Existing Levels (Flow through from prior years, inflation, contractual obligations, efficiencies) Increase in salary, wage and fringe benefits due to existing employment agreements and hiring of summer students. Increase in information technolgy, advertising and office expenses based on requirements. Increase in Government grants to support new programming and hiring of summer students. Adjustments Change Business Case - Full Time Curator for Eldon House $58,900. Page 39

6 Budget Forecast Eldon House Budget Forecast & Staffing ($000's) to Revised Requested Projected Forecast Forecast Forecast Forecast Object Budget Budget Increase Expenditures Non-Property Tax (53) (64) (65) (66) (67) (69) (16) Property Tax Supported (Net Budget) Increase / (Decrease) Over Prior Year Increase / (Decrease) Over Prior Year % 34.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 45.2% Annual average increase: 8.4% Staffing Full-Time Equivalents # Increase / (Decrease) Over Previous Year Full-Time Employees # Increase / (Decrease) Over Previous Year Additional Information / Commentary: 2% inflationary increase applied to all personnel accounts and program adjustments. Page 40

7 Business Case #5 Initiative Eldon House Curator for Eldon House Financial Implications ($ 000) Change to Gross Expenditure Change to Non Property Tax Supported Net Change to Property Tax Levy 2014 Tax Levy Impact % Capital Budget Impact Operating Budget Impact % Staffing Implications # of FT / FTEs impacted 1 (management - curator) Incremental Net Change Future Years $ (if applicable) Background As a key strategic goal, Eldon House Corporation has identified the pivotal need for a fulltime curator devoted to conserving, researching, interpreting, promoting and exhibiting its unique Harris family collection. With this goal in mind, this service change business case is to establish a curator responsible for dedicated care of the heritage museum and its authentic collection, primarily consisting of artifacts relevant to four generations of the Harris family, who lived at Eldon House. The creation of this role is fundamental to future stewardship and success for London s oldest home on two fronts. 1) With separate Board governance, for the first time in its storied history this heritage museum has the ability to chart its own course and holds the power to truly embrace every possible opportunity to flourish, including the pursuit of a National Historic Site (NHS) designation. If successful, this coveted designation would leverage additional new programming strategies, marketing opportunity and access to new funding, only available to national sites. But, in order to succeed in actualizing its tremendous potential, it is crucial for Eldon House to have onsite a dedicated and knowledgeable curator sustaining its collection, and serving as a resource to staff and Board members. Page 41

8 Business Case #5 Initiative Eldon House Curator for Eldon House 2) Also, looking ahead to 2014, Eldon House will mark its 180 th anniversary, providing timely impetus for a committed curator to research potential milestone anniversary projects. As well, the 180 th is an ideal catalyst to finally document a complete history of the Harris family living in the home from 1834 to Much of this history - lodged at the Western Archives and Research Collections Centre (ARCC) since remains untouched. As such, the completion of this research and its ensuing interpretation and development for exhibition and programming would serve as a fine legacy for the 180 th anniversary of London s oldest home. Dedicated preservation and stewardship of the architectural integrity of the House and artifacts by the curator, along with the creation of an appropriate database inventory of all artifacts, an indexed record of Eldon House history and an online repository of Eldon House research data and outputs will all support the heritage museum in appropriately responding to ongoing public and educational requests for information on this historic site. Performance Measures Impact Tangible indicators of success resulting from a job creation investment in an Eldon House curator will include: 1) a solid electronic system of record-keeping for all artifacts in the Harris collection; 2) a treasure trove of newly-researched Harris family history; 3) a series of new exhibits featuring previously-unknown activities and information related to the House and Harris family; and 4) a broad expansion of existing Eldon House educational programming thanks to this investment. By introducing a fulltime role of curator, Eldon House will actualize its full potential as a high-profile, sustainable heritage property and sought-after tourist destination using the following evaluation measurements: Attendance (Increased number of patrons directly generated by exhibits, lectures or special events based on new research) (Amount of increased revenue directly generated by exhibits, lectures or special events based on new research) Community Profile (Amount of increased media coverage (articles, radio/tv interviews); increased social media (online patron interaction via Page 42

9 Business Case #5 Initiative Eldon House Curator for Eldon House website, Facebook and Twitter); and patron commentary via telephone, visits or surveys related to new research) Research Requests (Increased number of calls by educators, graduate study researchers, students and history buffs seeking details related to promotion of exhibits, lectures or special events based on new research) Capacity Building (Through a compilation of the above four measurements, Eldon House will have increased capacity to actualize its role as a heritage museum) Impacts a) Community By strengthening its capacity through the provision of a fulltime curator, Eldon House will be well-prepared to continue to serve all Londoners, as well as visitors to the city, with authentic, relevant and imaginative public and educational programming, thus fulfilling its mandate to preserve and promote the Harris family legacy and the history of London. Also, increased momentum and patron support generated through heightened response to the ongoing work of the curator will be reflected in increased capacity and revenue to sustain this pivotal role and thriving programming at Eldon House in the years ahead. The new Eldon House Corporation Board of Directors and its dedicated staff team believe creating a fulltime role of curator provides tremendous opportunity to: 1) fully document the founding of The Forest City through the lens of one significant family, as a vibrant legacy for future generations, 2) promote London s history to citizens, community stakeholders, researchers and visitors far and wide, 3) introduce Eldon House to numerous new stakeholders across diverse cultures, 4) establish new collaborative partnerships within the community, 5) be financially transparent and accountable, and 6) ensure a sustainable future at London s historic Forks of the Thames. b) Community Engagement As one of its first actions in January 2013, the new Eldon House Board and staff hosted a Community Roundtable to invite and gather input Page 43

10 Business Case #5 Initiative Eldon House Curator for Eldon House from various community stakeholders interested in London s oldest home. Among its outcomes, the Roundtable cited unlimited potential to network and collaborate with fellow museums, London landmarks, heritage groups and history lovers, including The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) Museum, Banting House, Fanshawe Pioneer Village, The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, Radar Museum, members of the Huron Perth Middlesex Museum Network, including Lucan Area Heritage & Donnelly Museum, Elgin County Museum, the Middlesex County Courthouse (where John Harris worked), St. Paul s Cathedral (where the Harris family attended church), United Empire Loyalists, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO), Imperial Order of Daughters of the Empire (IODE), the Ontario Genealogical Society and the Ontario Museum Association. c) Other City of London s N/A Risks Every museum needs a curator responsible for its collection, and without this professional staff resource, Eldon House will not meet the requirements for many heritage funding programs or fully actualize its potential as an historic site. Page 44

MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND SPORT

THE ESTIMATES, 1 The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport provides leadership for these fast-growing sectors of the provincial economy which are fundamental to the prosperity and quality of life of Ontario