Some Big (and Exciting) News

Dear Friend of the Museum –

Last week we received positive news about two grant requests, and as a result, we have moved that much closer to our fundraising goal for the buildout of the Industrial History Center. I am thrilled, humbled, excited, and more. With this support we will begin the final phase to furnish and finish the inside of the IHC.

Building a museum space has been a dream for ACM leaders, our supporters and our community for years and years. And now, as we begin our final push, the finish line is ever so close.

It has truly been a community effort to reach this point. So many people – with a wonderful range of interest and capacity – have shared their passion, come forward and supported the project. I am grateful to you all. Thank you.

More good things to come.

As always, please reach out with your thoughts and questions.

John Mayer, Executive Director
jmayer@amesburycarriagemuseum.com

The design for the orientation exhibit will feature a blend of images and objects. It will introduce the story of industry and worklife in our community and serve as the starting point for many of our programs. (Keith Ragone design.)

Here is the latest news:

Finishes and Furnishings. Our application for a grant to the MA Office of Travel and Tourism for a FY 22 Destination Development Capital Grant was fully funded. The application included funds for a range of features that will “furnish and finish” the Industrial History Center. Signage, furniture, and other elements that will make our space friendly and inviting.

Click HERE to read the press release about this program.

We will receive just under $25,000 for this grant. And even more amazing, one of our campaign supporters came forward and provided a matching donation of $25,000. With these two additions, this phase of the campaign is fully supported and we can move forward and begin the finishing of the IHC.

I am thrilled.

The Orientation Exhibit. We received a $7,500 grant from the Newburyport Bank Charitable Foundation for construction of our orientation exhibit. A gift from a second donor will nearly match the award. This gets us 50% of the way to our project budget of $30,000 for the exhibit. And with these funds in hand, we can begin production!

The exhibit will be a focal point in the IHC. It will provide an introduction for the tours and education programs and establish a foundation for our interpretation of Amesbury history. We will include objects from other local organizations - the Amesbury Public Library, the Bartlett Museum, the Merrimack Hat Museum and others.

This is the fun part of the project.

Are you interested in sponsoring the exhibit? We are seeking additional donors to help us reach the final goal for the exhibit. Please reach out to me by email if you are interested in learning more.

New Article about the IHC – from the July 6, 2021 edition of WickedLocal.com, and written by Carol Feingold. This article provides a nice overview of the project. Thank you Carol for your great reporting and your interest in our project.

Click HERE to read Carol's article.

Behind the Scenes - Building the Canopy. And finally - here is the latest Behind the Scenes YouTube video that documents the building of the canopy. Click HERE to watch the 17 minute video. Our thanks to Dan Healey for his generous support of the canopy, to the crew with Inofab for their great work, and to Meryl Goldsmith and Frank Gurczak for the production. Exciting!

Thank you for your interest and your support!