LA museum reduced to begging on GoFundMe to keep the lights on amid budget crisis after 30 years

The Valley Relics Museum in Los Angeles has launched a GoFundMe campaign to stay open as rising costs and debt threaten its collection of San Fernando Valley history. The appeal matters because the museum preserves local cultural artefacts and says its financial position has not recovered from pandemic closures.

The museum, founded by Tommy Gelinas, holds more than 30,000 items in two hangars at Van Nuys Airport, including vintage signs, classic cars and film memorabilia. It is seeking $75,000 and faces a $70,000 balloon payment due in December; the campaign had raised more than $42,000 since launching in August. Donations would also support public events, school tours, workshops and restoration of stored artefacts.