For Immediate Release:  April 15, 2022

Media Contact: Christine Freitas Director of Communication and Content cfreitas@osv.org P: 508-347-0328

Ensuring the Future of Living History: Anonymous Donor Pledges $25,000 Matching Gift to Coggeshall Farm Museum

Bristol, R.I. – Coggeshall Farm Museum has announced a $25,000 matching gift from anonymous longtime friends of the museum to support vital campus updates and ensure the longevity of the historic property. This generous gift comes at an exciting time for the museum, as it has recently entered into a golden age as a vibrant living history site complete with a historic tenant farmhouse, costumed interpretation, a working farm, and themed programs for guests of all ages and interests. Funds raised through this matching gift challenge will support ongoing improvements to Coggeshall Farm, enabling staff to expand museum programs and better serve the guests that come to the museum. Possible projects include: Permanent animal pens in the new Tyska Barn to facilitate the return of cows to the Farm and provide space for milking demonstrations Upgrades to the Farm’s electrical systems, including running power to the Welcome Booth, ensuring proper electrical supply to the Tyska Barn, and installing discreet weatherproof outlets throughout the site Enacting an exterior drainage plan for the historic Farmhouse to alleviate flooding and prevent water-related damage Upgrades to the Farm’s accessibility, including a renovated ramp into the historic Farmhouse, signage, and improved navigation of the Farm for those with mobility challenges Reflecting on the matching gift and the future of the museum, President and CEO Jim Donahue stated "Operating a 1790s farm comes with many challenges, not the least of which is maintaining the historic property against the ravages of New England weather while also providing exceptional experiences for modern visitors to the museum. As we approach our 50th Anniversary, we are even more aware of our responsibility to effectively steward the buildings and landscape entrusted to our care." Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Coggeshall Farm Museum has seen growth, innovation, and new developments in recent years, including the return of heritage breed pigs, sheep, and chickens, the completion of the Tyska Animal Barn, the addition of new programs focused on themes like historic textiles, agriculture, and artisan trades, and the return of field trips to the historic property. The future of Coggeshall is bright, but there is still so much more that staff, board members, and friends of the museum want to do to ensure that Coggeshall remains an educational resource in the community. Coggeshall Farm Museum is grateful for the support of the anonymous donors of the $25,000 matching gift. Those who are interested in increasing their impact by making a gift to the matching challenge are encouraged to visit Coggeshall's website www.coggeshallfarm.org or contact the Development Office at 508-374-0207. ###

MEDIA For b-roll, images, and interview requests, please contact Christine Freitas at cfreitas@osv.org About Coggeshall Farm Museum   Coggeshall Farm is open seasonally. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth ages 4-17. Old Sturbridge Village is the managing partner of Coggeshall Farm Museum in Bristol, R.I. Members of Coggeshall Farm Museum or Old Sturbridge Village can enter the museum free.   The Coggeshall Farm Museum preserves and interprets this 1790s Rhode Island salt-marsh farm. It serves the local community and beyond as a living museum and vital educational resource through demonstration of daily farm activity and honest interpretation that reflects its historical, multicultural influence. For details, visit: https://www.coggeshallfarm.org/.

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