The Shelton-McMurphey Johnson House in Eugene relies on funding from Institute of Museum and Library Services for an important position. Now, with the entire staff at the federal agency on leave, the museum’s leadership is worried about what it means for their funding.

The federal agency provided a lot of funding through grants to institutions nationwide. For the Shelton-McMurphey Johnson House, a Victorian mansion-turned-museum, the Institute helped increase staffing.

The museum has a two-year grant that allows it to employ an additional education coordinator. The coordinator creates education plans for the museum and also does outreach.

Entire staff at federal agency that funds libraries and museums put on leave

Before the grant, the executive director, Leah Murray, was doing this work along with her regular job. Now, with a coordinator, Murray is able to focus on her work without having to juggle another role.

“It has freed me up to be able to do more development and planning and behind the scenes work which is really what my job is supposed to be,” said Murray.

Now, with IMLS staff on leave, Murray is worried that if the grant is put on hold, the museum won’t be able to fill that gap.

“That is a big chunk of our budget to support a position that we’re not entirely ready to support on our own yet,” said Murray.

The museum’s grant is set to finish in August.

Sajina Shrestha is a reporter with KLCC. This story comes to you from the Northwest News Network, a collaboration between public media organizations in Oregon and Washington.

It is part of OPB’s broader effort to ensure that everyone in our region has access to quality journalism that informs, entertains and enriches their lives. To learn more, visit our journalism partnerships page.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/04/05/shelton-mcmurphey-johnson-house-federal-staffing/