WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Colonial Williamsburg says ticket sales and donations fell in 2009, contributing to an overall decline in revenue for the living history museum.
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation said visitors purchased 660,000 general admissions in 2009, down 7 percent from the previous year. Gifts to the Colonial Williamsburg Fund, which supports the operating budget, declined 4.5 percent to $14 million over the period.
Revenue totaled $192 million, down nearly 9 percent from $210 million in 2008. Expenses declined from $249 million to $216 million over the period. The result was an operating loss of $24 million, smaller than the $39 million loss the previous year.
The foundation’s net assets increased by $115 million to $843 million, largely on stronger performance of its endowment, which reflected improvements in the financial markets.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.