It Takes a Community to Raise a Building

Sometime soon, the Charlestown Historical Society will be asking the community to help raise a building – Charlestown’s first historical museum.

A little history about the CHS:

Old Indian Schoolhouse

October 24, 1968 - Charlestown Historical Society was formed.  The vandalism and subsequent destruction of the Old Indian Schoolhouse was the driving force that prompted concerned citizens to form the Society.


1972 - Ernestine Swanson donated the District #2 Schoolhouse in Quonochontaug to the Society.



1838 District #2 Schoolhouse

 1973 – The 1838 Schoolhouse was moved to its current location with a low-cost lease of 10,000 sq. ft. of land by Cross’ Mills Library Board of Trustees.

1977 - CHS receives $5,000 from the Charlestown Bicentennial Committee for the purpose building a permanent museum to store and display the town’s historical items and archives.  Unfortunately, for various reasons, this vision of a museum for Charlestown never became a reality.  However, this original $5,000 has grown and is now “seed money” for the new museum.

2010 - Thirty-four years after the initial vision of a museum for Charlestown, the Society was granted a generous 99-year lease on land adjacent to the schoolhouse.  Planning and fundraising began in earnest.

2011 - One year later, almost half of the total goal of $140,000 has been raised.  At its recent meeting the CHS Board unanimously voted to begin construction with the goal of completing all exterior work this summer.  Interior finishing will begin as soon as the additional funds are raised.

IT TAKES A COMMUNITY

Although the CHS has been diligently pursuing various grants from local foundations and large businesses, so far the $65,000 raised has been from individuals, small businesses and several local organizations that love Charlestown and want to preserve and display its history.  Our community should take great pride in this generous support.

TO RAISE A BUILDING

Once the groundbreaking takes place and the foundation is completed, the CHS will again be seeking help from the community.  Our town’s first historic museum will be built the old-fashioned, barn-raising way – with friends and neighbors.  So, when the call goes out, consider spending an afternoon pounding nails.  No experience – no problem!!!  There will be knowledgeable builders on hand to help you.   This will be your chance to participate in Charlestown’s history.

Artist's Rendering of New Museum

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Author: Suzanne Ferrio