Historic Cherry Hill
Contents -- March 2008
- Deborah Emmons-Andarawis Appointed As Curator
- Historic Cherry Hill Achieves Subsequent Accreditation
- Annual Fund Drive Again Exceeds Goal
- The Cherry Hill Bequest Society
- 9th Annual History Fair Set To Explore Built Environment
- 1772 Foundation And EPF Grants To Fund Repair Work
- Education Program Valued By CDBG And City Arts Grants Programs
- Early Support Bodes Well For "Telling A Bigger Story"
- Spring is in the Air
Deborah Emmons-Andarawis Appointed As Curator
After completing a national search that attracted more than 30 applicants, we are pleased to announce that Deborah Emmons- Andarawis has accepted the position of Curator at Historic Cherry Hill. Since 2001, Deborah has served as Curator of Temporary Exhibitions and Museum Educator at Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site. She received her BA in English from Barnard College, Columbia University, and is nearing completion on her MA in Public History at the University at Albany, State University of New York.
New Curator Deborah Emmons-Andarawis.
During her tenure at Schuyler Mansion, Deborah developed an array of interesting and engaging exhibitions, including the recent Image and Identity: 100 Years of Schuyler Family Portraits; Fact and Folklore: The Infamous Tomahawk Legend; Of Private and Public Sorrow: Death and Mourning in the 18th Century; and Coping with Life's Necessaries: The Down and Dirty Story of Life without Plumbing. Her work has been recognized with awards from the Upstate History Alliance, and she serves as a member of the Clifton Park Historic Preservation Commission.
The Board and staff look forward to working with Deborah on several important initiatives, including restoration efforts and expansion of the services provided by the Edward Frisbee Center for Collections & Research, as we transform the site from a local house museum into a center for the study of America's political, social and economic history.
[contents]Historic Cherry Hill Achieves Subsequent Accreditation
The American Association of
Museums (AAM), located in
Washington, DC, has notified
Historic Cherry Hill that it has been
awarded subsequent accreditation, noting
that the institution "continues to meet
the high standards established by the
Accreditation Program and the museum
field." In his award letter, Accreditation
Commission Chair James Welu wrote,
"Historic Cherry Hill is an
example of an excellent small
museum doing great things
and making the most out of
what it has."
Of an estimated 17,500 museums nationwide, fewer than 5% have achieved accreditation. Sixty-six museums in New York State and three museums in the Capital District are accredited. Historic Cherry Hill underwent a rigorous process of review that began with an extensive year-long institutional self-study and reviews by a Visiting Committee of its peers and the Accreditation Commission. Accredited museums must undergo a review every 10 years. Historic Cherry Hill was initially accredited in 1984.
[contents]Annual Fund Drive Again Exceeds Goal
Under the leadership of Annual Fund Co-Chairs Mike Beiter and Jim Krathaus, Historic Cherry Hill raised more than $50,000 through its Annual Fund. From October through January, Mike and Jim reached out to Cherry Hill supporters, urging them to increase their commitment to the institution and its important mission. The museum gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and corporations for contributing to the drive held between October 15, 2007 and January 31, 2008.
|
$1,000 and up
$500-$999
$250-$499 |
$100-$249 |
Up to $99 |
Historic Cherry Hill also gratefully acknowledges
the following corporations for
generous $500 contributions made in support
of our educational programs:
Albany Steel, Inc.
Alltek Energy Systems
Hartgen Archeological Associates
The Cherry Hill Bequest Society
Emily Rankin's 1963 bequest established Cherry Hill as a museum, and bequests today can continue to play an important role in supporting the museum for generations to come. For many donors, gifts made through their wills are the best way to make substantial, lasting contributions to Historic Cherry Hill. Donors may leave specific dollar amounts or a percentage of their estates. Through a bequest you can:
- Make a substantial gift to the museum upon your death while retaining your assets during your lifetime;
- Eliminate or reduce federal estate taxes;
- Become a member of The Cherry Hill Bequest Society, which was formed to honor donors who have made a planned gift to the museum.
Establishing a bequest is an easy process to complete with your lawyer. For more information, contact Director Liselle LaFrance at (518) 434-4791; liselle@historiccherryhill.org.
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9th Annual History Fair Set To Explore Built Environment
"Look to the Past, Envision Your Future" is the theme of the 9th Annual Albany History Fair, scheduled for May 4, 2008 from Noon to 4 p.m. The event will again be co-sponsored by Historic Cherry Hill, the Albany Visitors Center and Historic Albany Foundation, and will be held at the Visitors Center, located at the intersection of Clinton Avenue and Broadway.
Activities will include a behind-the-scenes "Restoration Tour" of Cherry Hill with Preservation Specialist Audra Brecher of Stephen Tilly, Architect, an architectural scavenger hunt for families, downtown walking tours, presentation of the 6th Annual Sense of Place Awards, and more. Historic Albany Foundation will host a performance by the Christian Arts International Choir of Handel's Messiah in St. Joseph's Church at 3:30 p.m. (tickets to be sold in advance), and Ten Broeck Mansion will hold its Living History Day, also from Noon to 4 p.m.
Admission to the History Fair is free. We again expect beautiful weather and hope to see you at the Fair!
[contents]1772 Foundation And EPF Grants To Fund Repair Work
The 1772 Foundation, based in Pomfret Center, Connecticut, has awarded Historic Cherry Hill $30,000, and the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) has awarded a $100,000 matching grant, for sorely needed repairs to the museum's 1787 wood-frame structure. With these grant awards, and recent awards from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the site will address long-term preservation issues including remedying sources of water entry such as the west façade foundation and windows.
The museum has continued its work with Stephen Tilly, Architect of Dobbs Ferry, New York in planning for needed repairs and restoration. The first step was an Existing Conditions Survey. A Structural Assessment is now underway. It is anticipated that up to $1 million will be needed to complete all necessary repairs to this important Van Rensselaer family site, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The mission of The 1772 Foundation is to preserve and enhance American historical entities for future generations to enjoy with particular interest in farming, industrial development, transportation and unusual historical buildings.
The Environmental Protection Fund's Historic Preservation Program requires a 1 to 1, non-federal match for its projects and all work must meet the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation.
[contents]Education Program Valued By CDBG And City Arts Grants Programs
As the museum strives to serve more students in the City of Albany with its award-winning education programs, it has received support for its efforts from two government sources. The City Arts Grants Program made an award of $1,000, and the Community Development Block Grant Program awarded $7,500. These funds are critical to sustaining these high quality programs. Overseen by Education Director Rebecca Watrous, several programs, including "Voices from the Hill, 1787-1963", "The Cherry Hill Case", and "The Cherry Hill Murder Investigation Tour", have been developed that meet Learning Standards for social studies, English language arts and arts in New York State. Programs are presented by a team of highly qualified and gifted volunteer Museum Teachers. For more information on the Education Department and its programs, contact Becky Watrous at (518) 434-4791; becky@historiccherryhill.org.
[contents]Early Support Bodes Well For "Telling A Bigger Story"
Critical to any successful capital campaign is broad-based support, beginning with those closest to an institution. In preparation for the launch of Historic Cherry Hill's Telling a Bigger Story campaign, the museum has achieved 100% Board participation with pledges and donations, and has received two early and greatly appreciated gifts from individuals close to the organization.
Matthew Bender IV made a generous yearend gift of $25,000 in support of the campaign and NEH challenge, and Cherry Hill volunteer Guide and Receptionist Marjorie Brague made a gift of $10,000 in memory of her mother, Helen O. Stephens. These expressions of support for the museum, the campaign and its goals are wonderful indicators that Cherry Hill's importance in preserving Albany's and the nation's past is widely recognized and valued.
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Catherine Rankin, 1884. Catherine is the
central character in the museum's tour,
"The Rankins of Cherry Hill, Struggling
with the Loss of Their World"
Spring is in the Air
And so a new season begins! The museum will open to the public on Tuesday, April 1 at Noon, with its tour, "The Rankins of Cherry Hill: Struggling with the Loss of Their World". From April through June, tours will be offered Tuesday through Friday at Noon, 1, 2 & 3 p.m., on Saturday, at 10 and 11 a.m., Noon, 1, 2 & 3 p.m., and on Sunday at 1, 2 & 3 p.m. An expanded summer schedule will begin in July.
If you love a good story, we hope you'll plan a visit this spring.
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