Officials of Monterey’s shuttered Maritime and History Museum were in an optimistic mood as they unveiled a set of ambitious plans for the museum’s reopening at a Sept. 25 annual membership gathering.

“I think we have reached a turning point,” says Executive Director Pam Crowe-Weisberg, whose year-long tenure has been marked by internal conflict and massive turnover on the board of directors.

When she arrived late last year, the collection was in disarray and the museum’s $2 million endowment had dwindled to $800,000 because it had been used to keep the organization afloat.

Crowe-Weisberg dismissed longtime maritime historian Tim Thomas and angered some in the local fishing community by arguing that the museum should tell Monterey’s entire story, not just its maritime history.

“I think they’re going in the right direction, but they need to do a better job of schmoozing the membership,” says museum member Carol Dawson. “Over the years, many members have dropped [out].”

“We’re on track,” Crowe-Weisberg says. “And I really believe if people will give us a chance, we’ll be able to have a fabulous organization that will really attract tourism.”

Tourism is important to the city of Monterey, which relies on the hotel tax for much of its budget. Still, museum officials could face tough questions in the coming weeks, when they’ll report to the City Council on their progress.

The city owns the land on which the museum is built and leases it for just $1 per year on the condition the museum remains open. But last year, under new management and amid a sea of financial troubles, the council granted permission for a one-year closure, provided the museum re-opens Jan. 1.

The museum won’t make its deadline. Staff plans to re-open just the lobby later this year with the first floor scheduled for opening in early 2011.

The council has the power to kick the museum out of its space near the wharf, but it’s unlikely to do so.

“Is that in the city’s best interests? We’d end up with a dark building,” says City Manager Fred Meurer. “We know cultural tourism is an important component of why people come to Monterey.”

Curator Marisa Mercado says the museum has treasures galore, including letters from Teddy Roosevelt to a local military commander, and newly discovered data on historic shipwrecks that could be a boon to current researchers.

But financial woes continue to dog the museum, whose operating budget is some $50,000 a month—less than the institution is currently raising. Still, it got a financial boost this year after selling two historic properties: the Perry Downer House and the Fremont Adobe. Crowe-Weisberg says she’s awaiting word on some $750,000 in grants.

Governance changes might also be in the offing. Crowe-Weisberg has said she favors a non-voting membership. Such a change could face fierce opposition, but it would put the museum in step with similar institutions, whose members provide support but don’t make policy.

But Crowe-Weisberg stresses her views on the subject aren’t set in stone, adding that such a change would be the board’s, not hers, to make.