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Old Town Historical Society: preserving Old Towns history and culture to inspire people today and tomorrow. This new mission statement, approved by the membership of the Old Town Historical Society at the 2004 annual meeting, captures the strategic intent of this long range plan. The Old Town Historical Society documents and preserves the stories of this community for a clear purpose: the education and inspiration of residents today and in the future. That education takes many forms in 2004 exhibitions, programs, tours, and publications and the form and content will likely change over time, but the core purpose will remain. This plan details how the Society will fulfill this mission over the next five years, a period that includes both the 350th celebration of the towns founding and the Societys own 75th anniversary.
Background
Old Town Historical Society is a membership-supported organization in a most historic town. The Society owns two historic houses: the General James Jones House and the Adams-Arnold House; and manages three properties owned by the town: the Old Town Museum and visitor center at the.Conant Cultural Center (the Conant), the Barn Museum, and the Old Academy Building. The Old Academy is used for the Societys offices and library. Museum collections are stored at the Conant Memorial, which also has public meeting rooms. It also hosts a variety of cultural programs for the greater community. Sharing Our Stories is a permanent exhibition on Old Towns history at the museum in the Conant Memorial Cultural Center. Temporary exhibitions from the Societys collections, traveling exhibitions with a local connection, and exhibitions generated by the community complete the museums exhibition schedule. Old Town Historical Society has an active educational program including evening and weekend lectures and concerts for adults, in-school and on-site programs for elementary school groups, walking tours, tours of the historic properties, and special events. In 2004, new programs for families and children extend the Societys public service. The Societys collections include more than 6,500 objects, primarily from the 19th century, on exhibition in the historic houses, museum, or in storage. The library includes 100 linear feet of manuscripts, more than 1000 photographs and approximately 1000 books on history and genealogy. There are more than 1,000 members, who support the Society financially with their dues and annual fund contributions, as well as contributing time and expertise as volunteers. A full calendar of fundraising events (house tour, antiques show, craft show, wine tasting) run by volunteers brings new supporters to the Society. Grants from public and private foundations and trusts provide critical support for special projects.
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July 2004
Goal One
Provide engaging and interactive ways for adults and children to learn about Old Towns history
Goal Two
Tell the stories of the entire community and be more reflective of the diversity of Old Town today
Goal Three
Address the preservation, conservation and program needs of our buildings and collections, fulfilling our obligations as fiduciaries of these assets External Goals
Clarify and enhance the identity and image of Old Town Historical Society Enhance and communicate the value of Old Town Historical Societys public service to the town of Old Town Administrative Goals
Goal Six
Goal Seven
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Program Goals and Objectives Goal One Provide engaging and interactive ways for adults and children to learn about Old Towns history
We need to captivate visitors of all ages to the Old Town Museum and historic properties, using new approaches as well as those proven to be effective in the past. Cost (Estimated) and Source
Year Objective One Building on Old Town Historical Society s experience of interactive exhibitions and programs, develop a plan for more participatory activities in exhibits and the historic houses for visitors of all ages. 1.1.1 Pilot hands on history activities for young visitors (hi) 1.1.2 Raise funds for and develop interactive history center at Old Town Museum (hi) 1.1.3 Pilot and evaluate participatory activities for the historic properties (high) 1.1.4 Raise funds for and develop hands on activities in Adams-Arnold House (high) 1.1.5 Raise funds for and develop hands on activities in General James Jones House (mid) 1.1.6 Raise funds for and develop hands on activities for Barn Museum (mid-low)
Who
2004 2005-2006
funded $40-60 k Conant Trust funds existing resources $10-20 k $10-20 k $1-2 k
Dir, Asst Dir Dir, Asst Dir, Ed Coord; Educ, Devel, Museum Comms Dir, Asst Dir Dir, Asst Dir, Ed Coord Dir, Asst Dir, Ed Coord Dir, Asst Dir, Ed Coord
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Year Objective Two Revise the educational program for schools, in consultation with teachers, to overcome barriers of time and expense, insuring that programs meet current curriculum needs and standards. 1.2.1 With school personnel, evaluate the current educational programs (inc. Family History Day), revise or eliminate programs so that all meet new curriculum standards and guidelines (high) 1.2.2 With school personnel, assess budgets for field trips v. in-school presentations and adapt education program appropriately (mid) 1.2.3 With school personnel, develop in-service training for teachers (mid) Objective Three Refine and expand current programs for adults 1.3.1 Work with Old Town adult education and other partners to develop courses and/or programs about local history and culture (mid) 1.3.2 Plan programming for 75th anniversary of Old Town Historical Society (mid) 1.3.3 Implement 75th anniversary programs (mid)
Who
2005
2006
2007
$1-2 k
2006
Program fees
Dir, Asst Dir, volunteers Dir, Asst Dir, volunteers Dir, Asst Dir, volunteers
2006 2007
tbd tbd
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July 2004
Year Objective Four Develop ways to make visiting the historic houses in Old Town easier and more appealing, cooperating with other town museums and Tourism Commission 1.4.1 Pilot and evaluate Kitchen Tour program (high) 1.4.2 Based on evaluation, consider other group tour options (mid) 1.4.3 Assess feasibility of other joint efforts including cooperative ticketing, cross training staff, etc. (mid) 1.4.4 Implement other joint efforts (mid) Objective Five Develop opportunities to reach children after school and on vacations. 1.5.1 Pilot and evaluate summer programs including the expanded Conant Cultural Series (high) 1.5.2 If successful, expand summer program (mid) 1.5.3 Pilot and evaluate after school program (mid) 1.5.4 If successful, expand after school program (mid)
Who
Tourism grant, Program fees Program fees Tourism grant Program fees
Dir, Asst Dir, WDS staff Asst Dir, WDS staff Asst Dir, Ed Coord, WDS staff
funded $10-15 k Conant Trust, program fees tbd $10-15 k Conant Trust, program fees
Objective Six 2006 1.6.1 Develop educational and historical content on Old Town history for the website (mid)
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Goal Two Tell the stories of the entire community and be more reflective of the diversity of Old Town today
Old Town Historical Society is generally associated with Old Old Town and the early history of the town. We need to expand our collections and programming to include other neighborhoods, more recent history, and the experience of all residents. Cost (Estimated) and Source
Year Objective One Insure that exhibitions and programs include more recent history and the history of neighborhoods beyond Old Old Town and of more recent arrivals in town 2.1.2 Create smaller Curators Corner exhibits with selected thematic materials (mid) 2.1.3 Develop Old Town Historical Society 75th anniversary exhibit that covers the present as well as past (high) 2.1.4 Create exhibits in Conant Cultural Center Gallery and other spaces with materials from the collection and community exhibits (mid) 2.1.5 Revise the permanent exhibition on Old Town history for the 350th anniversary of the town in 2009, bringing the story up to the recent past (high) Objective Two 2.2.1 Recruit members, volunteers, committee members, and board members who represent the diversity of Old Towns residents (high) Objective Three 2.3.1 With the support of the Town of Old Town, develop a film or video (or other media) introduction to the town, documenting Old Town in the past and present, to be used in the visitors center, website, etc. (high)
Who
2008-2009
$100-200 k All staff; grants, donations Museum Comm, community groups Board, Dir; Memb Comm, Office Mngr
2006-2007
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July 2004
Goal Three Address the preservation, conservation and program needs of our buildings and collections, fulfilling our obligations as fiduciaries of these assets
Our valuable buildings and collections are the core of Old Town Historical Society and must be maintained to high professional standards. Critical maintenance and care cannot be deferred any longer. Cost (Estimated) and Source
Year Objective One Assess use of all Society properties and either commit resources for better utilization or investigate alternative uses 3.1.1 Complete a cost/benefit analysis 2004 of utilization of all properties (high) 3.1.2 Review documentation and 2005 verbal understandings about Old Town Historical Society s use and care of town-owned buildings and clarify, renegotiate or reaffirm mutual commitments (high) Objective Two Develop and fund capital improvement plan, addressing deferred maintenance. 3.2.1 Fundraise for and complete repairs to Adams-Arnold House (high) 3.2.2 Fundraise for and complete repairs to General Jones House (mid)
Who
2004-2007 2007-2009
3.2.3 Complete assessments of 2005-2006 building, landscape, systems and technology needs of all buildings (high) 3.2.4 Establish routine maintenance 2005 schedule for properties and conduct annual maintenance in coordination with Town staff (high)
$300-500 k Dir, Board; donations, grants Devel and B&G Comms $200-300 k Dir, Board; donations, grants Devel and B&G Comms B&G and Technology Comms Old Town Historical Society and Town maintenance staff
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July 2004
2007
$25 k for increased staff time (current position becomes full time Facilities Manager)
Fac Mngr
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July 2004
Year Objective Three Upgrade collections management and care to protect Old Town Historical Society assets and meet professional standards 3.3.1 Institute climate monitoring program (high) 3.3.2 Eliminate cataloguing backlog and make collections more accessible to researchers(mid) 3.3.3 Complete disaster plan (mid) 3.3.4 Install light control measures in Old Town Museum (mid) 3.3.5 Institute housekeeping program (mid) 3.3.6 Reorganize storage (mid) 3.3.7 Begin rotating house collections (hi) 3.3.8 Develop new storage plan including new storage facility (mid) Objective Four Complete series of renovations to Old Town Museum to accommodate new programming 3.4.1 Convert Conant classroom to interactive history gallery (hi) 3.4.2 Develop and implement new space plan for the main floor including dedicated theater for introductory film, enlarged gift shop, more efficient and welcoming reception desk and improved visitor flow. (high)
Who
2005 2005 2005 and ongoing 2005 2005 and ongoing 2008-2009 $15-50 k
Asst Dir, Cur Asst or Intern Asst Dir Asst Dir, Cur Asst or Intern Asst Dir, Cur Asst or Intern Asst Dir, Cur Asst or Intern Asst Dir, consultants
2006 2006-2007
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External Goals and Objectives Goal Four Clarify and enhance the identity and image of the Old Town Historical Society.
The complexity and diversity of Old Town Historical Society has made it difficult to communicate exactly who we are and what we do. Cost (Estimated) and Source
Year Objective One Strengthen the Old Town Historical Society brand, its visual identity, language to identify buildings and programs, and main marketing message, and use it consistently on publications, signs, press releases, etc. 4.1.1 Develop marketing plan, including decisions on logo, messages, etc. (high) 4.1.2 Improve signage at all Old Town Historical Society sites (high) 4.1.3 Increase free publicity such as Cable Access TV, contacts with feature writers, etc. (mid) 4.1.4 Implement marketing plan (high)
Who
$5 k $10-15 k
Pro bono consultant Dir, contractors Dir, Office Mngr, Mkt/Dev Coord Mkt/Dev Coord, Office Mngr
$20 k for new staff (part time marketing and development coordinator) $1 k, software, training
Objective Two 4.2.1 Upgrade society web site and ensure links, content and appearance promote society mission and goals (mid) Objective Three 4.3.1 Consider ways of collaborating with neighboring communities and organizations to reach a regional audience (lo)
2007
Director
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July 2004
Goal Five Enhance and communicate the value of Old Town Historical Society s public service to the town of Old Town
In addition to preserving and interpreting four buildings owned by the town, Old Town Historical Society supports educational programming in the schools, efforts to attract and serve visitors, and people researching town history. We will continue to advance the preservation and sharing of this historically important communitys assets. Cost (Estimated) and Source
Year Objective One Regularly communicate with the Town Council Old Town Historical Society s programs and services, using both the Council liaison and presentations by staff and board members 5.1.1 Make semi-annual presentation to 2004 and ongoing Town Council (high) 5.1.2 Host annual reception for 2004 and ongoing Council and Board of Education (mid) Objective Two 5.2.1 Strengthen working relationships with staff in key town departments including Physical Services, Education, Parks and Recreation, Library. (mid) Objective Three 5.3.1 Support efforts to attract and serve visitors to Old Town, including coordination with the Tourism Commission (mid) 2004 and ongoing
Who
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Administrative Goals and Objectives Goal Six Insure we have the financial resources to do our work
We need the financial support of a wider circle of people and institutions. Cost (Estimated) and Source
Year Objective One Upgrade our capacity to raise funds for Old Town Historical Society 6.1.1 Create a coordinated development plan for annual giving, special project, capital and endowment support from individuals, businesses, foundations, and public agencies; include in the plan staff needs, recordkeeping systems, types and frequency of communication, etc. (hi) 6.1.2 Train board, volunteers and staff in soliciting gifts (high) 6.1.3 Conduct targeted fundraising for special projects and initiatives, including capital (high) 6.1.4 Develop a planned giving program (mid) 6.1.5 As other giving grows, reassess the number and kind of fund raising events (mid) Objective Two 6.2.1 Develop multi-year financial plans and budgets, including capital expenditures (high) Objective Three 6.3.1 Expand gift shop at visitors center (mid)
Who
2005
$5 k, grant
Board, Devel Comm Board, Devel Comm, Mkt/Dev Coord Mkt/Dev Coord Devel Comm, Mkt/Dev Coord
2005
2007
$10-20 k
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Year Objective One Review staffing requirements and implement phased staffing plan to reflect planning goals
7.1.1 Extend staff capabilities with training, contract staff, pro bono or paid consultants as needed (high) 7.1.2 Hire education program coordinator (high) 7.1.3 Hire program staff as needed (high) 7.1.4 Place curatorial intern annually (hi) 7.1.5 Hire marketing/development coordinator (high) 7.1.6 Convert custodian position to facilities manager (high) Objective Two Improve the skills and capacity of the Governing Board. 7.2.1 Establish and charge governance committee with diversifying the Board and recruiting needed skills (e.g. fundraising, technology, marketing) (high) 7.2.2 Establish and articulate board member expectations and job descriptions (high) 7.2.3 Review and amend board and committee structure to reflect the needs of the organization (mid)
2004 and ongoing 2005 2005 and ongoing 2005 2006 2006
2005
2005 2005
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Year Objective Three Expand and activate the membership 7.3.1 Develop a membership campaign for pre-retirement adults (mid) 7.3.2 Recruit more members as volunteers, creating assignments that meet the requirements of working adults (mid) 7.3.3 Develop youth volunteer program, working with community organization or schools (lo) 2006 2006
2007
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