MACON — The Tubman Museum is asking for your help after the Bibb commission gave them less money this year.
They’re just one of the many outside agencies in Bibb dealing with cuts under the new budget.
Director Andy Ambrose says they want to raise $250,000 to make sure the museum stays open, so they put together the 'Tubman 250' campaign.
People travel from across the south to visit the Tubman Museum, like Eileen Brooks who is visiting from Florida.
“Originally, I was going to stop in Columbus to see a friend, then I thought, ‘What else is there to see along the way,’” said Brooks.
Ambrose says Brooks is one of the more than 40,000 visitors that stop by each year, but now the Tubman is searching for extra funds.
They asked Bibb County for $230,000 – the same amount as last year. The commission gave them $180,000 instead.
“What we are facing this year is a $50,000 cut from funding and of course that’s a challenge when that happens,” said Ambrose.
He’s hoping a new campaign will allow them to keep their doors open.
“The goal is to raise $250,000. That will help not only sustain the current programming, but allow us to even expand our impact and reach,” said Ambrose.
Ambrose says that with those funds, they’ll be able to do things like send a traveling exhibit to schools throughout Central Georgia with the goal of making sure students are learning about African-American history.
Despite budget cuts, Brooks is happy the museum has a plan to keep running.
“It’s astounding and it’s something to be proud of. The whole thing is quite impressive,” said Brooks.
The museum doesn’t have any plans to raise prices now. Ambrose says they will have fundraising events throughout the year to make sure the museum stays a place the public can enjoy.
One of those events is a Patti LaBelle concert in January.