Building a Future for Cotuit's Past
Our Grand Plan to Expand
The Historical Society of Santuit & Cotuit is embarking on a new capital campaign and needs YOUR help.
Since 1955, HSSC has diligently preserved and interpreted the history of Cotuit. It is our privilege to provide educational and cultural experiences that reflect the spirit and traditions of our community. We are humbled by your recognition of the value HSSC gives to our village. In the past seven years, our membership has grown over 300%! However, in the past few years, we have started to feel the restrictions of severe space constraints.
The Challenge
Our lack of sufficient space is impacting every facet of operations, whether we’re talking about objects in the collection, archival materials, gift shop inventory, or items needed for fundraising events, such as tents, tables and chairs. But it’s the overcrowded condition of the archives – where the documents, photographs, books and maps so vital to historical research are kept – that’s really hampering our mission to preserve Cotuit’s past and tell its story. Presently, the archives occupy a small room directly behind the Museum Store. The 10 x 16-foot room does double duty as the administrative office and – given its proximity to the shop – inevitably catches overflow in inventory (the shop’s actual storage closets being located at some distance, over in the Fire Museum).
While archival materials have been carefully catalogued and stored over the years, it can be daunting to access them without putting these often fragile objects – not to mention the archivist – at some risk. We’ve also reached our capacity for accepting new acquisitions of any significant size for either the archives or the collection. Yet we hate to say “no” when offered an opportunity to preserve some special connection to Cotuit’s past.
Since 1955, HSSC has diligently preserved and interpreted the history of Cotuit. It is our privilege to provide educational and cultural experiences that reflect the spirit and traditions of our community. We are humbled by your recognition of the value HSSC gives to our village. In the past seven years, our membership has grown over 300%! However, in the past few years, we have started to feel the restrictions of severe space constraints.
The Challenge
Our lack of sufficient space is impacting every facet of operations, whether we’re talking about objects in the collection, archival materials, gift shop inventory, or items needed for fundraising events, such as tents, tables and chairs. But it’s the overcrowded condition of the archives – where the documents, photographs, books and maps so vital to historical research are kept – that’s really hampering our mission to preserve Cotuit’s past and tell its story. Presently, the archives occupy a small room directly behind the Museum Store. The 10 x 16-foot room does double duty as the administrative office and – given its proximity to the shop – inevitably catches overflow in inventory (the shop’s actual storage closets being located at some distance, over in the Fire Museum).
While archival materials have been carefully catalogued and stored over the years, it can be daunting to access them without putting these often fragile objects – not to mention the archivist – at some risk. We’ve also reached our capacity for accepting new acquisitions of any significant size for either the archives or the collection. Yet we hate to say “no” when offered an opportunity to preserve some special connection to Cotuit’s past.
The Solution
A newly constructed administrative and archive space, along with a revitalized integrated public gallery with renewed interpretive exhibits will more effectively tell the story of Cotuit and its place in Cape Cod history during the 19th century. This capital campaign will run through 2023 and its success will mark the completion of our Dottridge Preservation Project, started in 2016.
The goal of the Cotuit Historical Museum's Capital Campaign is to raise $350,000 in the next two years to accomplish the following:
A newly constructed administrative and archive space, along with a revitalized integrated public gallery with renewed interpretive exhibits will more effectively tell the story of Cotuit and its place in Cape Cod history during the 19th century. This capital campaign will run through 2023 and its success will mark the completion of our Dottridge Preservation Project, started in 2016.
The goal of the Cotuit Historical Museum's Capital Campaign is to raise $350,000 in the next two years to accomplish the following:
- Create a new administrative and archival space. The existing Fire museum will be demolished and reconstructed with a second-floor administrative office and a climate-controlled basement for additional archival space. The small office currently located behind the gift shop will be utilized as a storage space for the shop with a new restroom.
- Create a new museum experience. The existing public space of the Fire Museum will be fully integrated with the main museum. New and revitalized exhibits will include more interactive technology and include additional displays that present the history of Cotuit and 19th century Cape Cod life.
- Complete the Dottridge Preservation Project. By eliminating the existing restroom from the Homestead, this 1808 treasure will be restored back to a more authentic representation of 19th century life by adding a buttery (pantry) area where the restroom is now.
Please support HSSC as we continue to tell Cotuit's story.
We are appreciative of any level of gift, large or small.
Thank you for your support.
DONATE
We are appreciative of any level of gift, large or small.
Thank you for your support.
DONATE
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