Dear Gates Historical Society member or supporter:
- 2020 has been a year like no other.
- We regret canceling our last program of the year, but the rising Coronavirus figures gave us cause to pause. We did have three of our nine scheduled 2020 programs, with all of us masked and socially distanced.
- Our spring Vintage Clothing exhibit was cancelled as well as our traditional Holly Days celebration. But we are decorating the outside of the Hinchey Homestead as well as placing Christmas trees where they can be seen from the street for an outside Holly Days. Our decorations will be up for all of December. Please drive by to enjoy!
- We have been most successful in winning four of the five grants this past year: one grant [$1100] paid for the National Register of Historic Places roadside sign in front of the Hinchey Homestead and another [$2000] enabled us to purchase new equipment and software to accession our artifacts according to museum standards.
- The biggest grant was the Pomeroy Foundation’s 50% matching grant. By raising $6000 over August and September we won a matching $3000, almost covering the cost of the new fence in front of the Hinchey Homestead. We actually raised over $8000 and we are still receiving donations from Hinchey Homestead neighbors!
- To cap off the year’s grant successes, we are one of 50 NYS museums that just won a two year training grant from the Institute of Library and Museum Services to develop virtual programs and tours to expand our audience, with our partner, Gates Public Library.
- Our revised website and active Facebook presence is bringing us more donations and more volunteers. We also have had some notable artifacts donated to enhance our historic site.
- Friday, August 2nd a special town event at the Homestead celebrated the relocated Doud Post flagpole which now graces our front yard. Over 50 elected officials and residents attended!
- While we have not been able to do many of our traditional programs and activities, we have had a most successful and creative year.
- We are most grateful to our many donors, members and local businesses that have contributed to the beautification and restoration of the Hinchey Homestead. We are blessed with our friends and supporters. We have come through a challenging year, better and stronger than ever, thanks to you! A special thank you to Bill Gillette, our wonderful Town Liaison
May you and yours have a safe and memorable holiday season. We will meet again in the New Year.
From the Board of the Gates Historical Society
Susan Swanton, President,
Garth Brokaw, Vice President,
Ray Coons, Treasurer,
Marjorie Bouwens, Secretary,
Virginia Paddock and Sue Swingle, Past Co-Presidents,
Marlene Sutliff, Curator, Paula Blackburn, Cindy Hinchey, Christine Kimmerly, Christine Maurice