Move Put On Hold For Vonnegut Museum

The Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library is still planning to hold the Night of Vonnegut Gala this Saturday, April 8 -- despite having to cancel plans for a grand opening at the building located at 646 Mass Ave.

That location was to also have become the organization’s new, permanent home. But after long-term, significant problems with the building were discovered, the search is on for a new, permanent location. 

“We moved our offices into the building and began planning exhibits and construction work started,  and during the construction work process, three different companies told us there were serious structural problems with the building,” says the museum’s founder and CEO, Julia Whitehead.

The discovery of the structural issues led to irreconcilable differences with the building’s owner, and the matter is now being dealt with in the courts. However, Whitehead says they are moving forward and are looking forward to a new space..

“You know we see this as a roadblock that we overcame and now we are moving forward," Whitehead says. "We have so many great plans for Year of Vonnegut and all of those programs are being implemented.”

The Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library kicked off a $750,000 dollar fundraising campaign last year to move into a new building.

In the meantime, KVML’s current location at 340 N. Senate Ave. remains open, as Katz and Korin PC continues to provide donated space for the organization in their building.

Tickets for the annual fundraiser gala, featuring journalist Steve Inskeep, filmmaker Robert Weide, writer Dan Wakefield and others are available at vonnegutlibrary.org.

KVML also looks forward to its “Black and Blue” reception on Saturday, April 29, featuring renowned comedian and actor Lewis Black, with food and libations provided by Bluebeard restaurant. This ticketed event will take place at the Old National Centre following Lewis Black’s comedy performance.