Museum Announcement!

The Vent Haven Museum Board of Directors is so very honored to appoint Mr. Jimmy Nelson, the Dean of American Ventriloquists, to be Director Emeritus of Vent Haven Museum, Inc. This appointment by the Directors is in recognition of Mr. Nelson's decades long relationship with and support of Vent Haven Museum.

Jimmy's relationship with Vent Haven began in 1944 with a letter from our founder, W.S. Berger, who asked Jimmy for a photo for the museum collection. Their relationship continued through mail and personal visits until Mr. Berger passed in 1972.

Jimmy Nelson was a founding member of the museum's Board of Advisors. He performed at the dedication of the W.S. Berger Memorial Building on June 30, 1973. He has attended nearly every convention since. His insight, ideas, and encouragement are invaluable to the progress of Vent Haven.

Jimmy's 70 year career was the centerpiece and focus of the 2011 Vent Haven ConVENTion. The celebration included the naming of the museum's special exhibit building as The Jimmy Nelson Building, as well as several premiums for conventioneers, the best most remarkable of which was a 124 page book entitled, A Jimmy Nelson Celebration...70 Years of Laughter, which was written and edited by Vent Haven Museum Director Tom Ladshaw. It is the most complete account of Jimmy's life and career.

I could go on and on and on about Jimmy; if you've had the honor to meet him, I know you could, too. Please join me and rest of the Board of Directors in congratulating Jimmy Nelson on his new title, Director Emeritus. You can see more here: https://www.venthaven.org/personnel