Lifetime Memberships in your Museums

Maria Reynolds

Hi all!

We are revisiting some of our museum policies and membership programs and we ramp up for a renovation/new wing and I wanted to see who has lifetime memberships at their institutions? What are the benefits associated with them and how do people acquire them? Also, do you offer anything to retired employees of your institution? Any input or feedback would be greatly apprciated!

Erin Donnelly

At the discretion of our leadership team we often give our retirees or longtime employees leaving in good standing a complimentary membership length equal to their years of employment.


We don't offer any Lifetime memberships now, but we did many years before I came here - I have a handful of lifetime memberships issued 25-40 years ago. Unfortunately, I don't have any clear documentation as to the terms - was the membership truly lifetime? Is the 2022 Expiration Date valid and something the member was aware? Or was it just a Random Date Way Far In The Future? How long do I keep these memberships active??? Since I can't find evidence of meaningful stewardship, I've struggled on how to reach out after so many years.


So I'd recommend two things - one, very clearly document the terms and two, keep engaged with these members. Send a new set of cards every year. Your colleagues from the future will thank you.