(Transcript from Susan C.S. Edwards' Annual Meeting Executive Director's report.)
Good evening.
When I began to think about my annual report, I thought there is so little to say this year -- we've been closed, we've had no visitors this season and staff members are working remotely.
Then I began to reflect on our unprecedented circumstances and realized just how much we have accomplished.
Despite the fact that the Cushing House is still closed, over the last year we have raised $104,339 in grant funds toward the costs of a comprehensive new electrical system, security and fire alarm systems that will protect our treasured structure and collections for future generations. The work is approximately 80% complete and in addition to a new level of stewardship, we will be able to see our galleries and period rooms in a whole new light. Once the electrical project is complete, the museum will undergo cleaning and conservation as we reinstall our period rooms and galleries in anticipation of opening the museum again in spring 2021.
In January, we said goodbye to Emily Lawrence, our assistant director for 5 1/2 years, and in February we welcomed Madison Vlass, executive assistant, and Colleen Turner Secino, marketing and engagement manager. Our new team is full of talent and energy and we are doing our best to keep in touch with our members and supporters through weekly e-newsletters, virtual programming and an increased social media presence on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
When we realized that our 41st Annual Garden Tour could not take place in its traditional manner, we set about creating a virtual platform, and with the support of garden owners and volunteers Bill Hallett, Bob Watts and Dan Fionte, we have created a series of four garden videos. The fourth will be released next week, and a fifth segment will feature the Cushing House garden and how it has evolved over the past seventy-five years. These five virtual garden tours will be available for purchase on a CD this fall.
Ten months ago, we had an amazing opportunity to acquire two new pieces for our collection. The iconic figures of Peace and Plenty carved by Newburyport ship carver Joseph Wilson, once graced the facade of the Timothy Dexter mansion. They languished for a number of years on the exterior of a shed on the coast of Cape Cod, but have returned home to Newburyport and will be placed on display next spring. These carvings were important enough to be selected as artifacts significant to the culture and art of the United States and included in the Index of American Design in the 1930s.
We have received pledges of three important gifts to the collections this summer. Three paintings and a collection of Newburyport silver will be heading to the museum later this fall when it is safe to receive them, and we will share more news with our members at that time.
As a small non-profit, like so many others, we have suffered as a result of COVID-19, but we have remained passionate about the museum's mission of preserving and presenting our local history.
We have received support from the Payroll Protection Program. We are also the recipient of a $5,000 MASS CARES general operating support grant awarded by Mass Humanities through the National Endowment for the Humanities. Although these have been a much needed assist, they do not compensate for our loss of earned income through programs and events.
On July 5 we held our third annual Reading Frederic Douglass Together program in collaboration with the First Religious Society. One hundred eighteen people participated in this virtual event. Although the majority of our scheduled programming was postponed this year, our speakers have graciously agreed to reschedule and participate in 2021. This includes two symposia -- one on Women in the Preservation Movement and one on Race and Slavery in New England.
A new, interactive program this season has been the virtual trivia show, "Yeat Yeat, Don't Tell Me!" Fashioned after NPR's "Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me!" it is a fun and informative half hour of local history facts and stories. A growing audience attests to its popularity and increased awareness of the museum in the community.
We have been the recipient of several special project grants from numerous local agencies. $44,900 in grant support has been received from the Mary Alice Arakelian Foundation, the NAID Foundation and the Kennard Bowlen Charitable Trust, all for the Cushing House Electrical Project.
The H. Patterson Hale, Jr. Charitable Foundation awarded $12,500 for collections care and management, and the Institution for Savings and Essex National Heritage Commission have granted $4,500 for community outreach programs.
Finally, the Newburyport Community Preservation Committee awarded $30,450 for the second phase of the Cushing House Cobble Courtyard. This project will allow us to expand our ability for outdoor programs and provide safe and barrier free access to the gardens and the Perkins Engraving Plant.
Although we have not seen one another face-to-face these past months, many of our volunteers continue to work behind the scenes on program planning, research and our physical plant including our lusher than ever gardens. I am grateful to all of these individuals and to our board of directors for leadership as we move forward. Many thanks also to my staff for their vibrancy and enthusiasm. They are a pleasure to have on board.
The COVID experience has taught me to look more closely at core values and focus on family, friends and community. As we all move forward in uncharted waters over the course of the next several months, I hope that the museum will remain an important part of your community, and that we can rely on your continued support to keep the legacy of Old Newbury strong.
Thank you.
(Editor's note: Watch Bethany's dynamic presentation on 17th Century Court Cases here.)
