Letter From The President
                    Annual Report September 2005            
 

To our valued members of Peterborough Historical Society:

Another year has passed and it is time to report on our progress as an organization. So much good has happened at the Historical Society in the last twelve months!

Our staff continues to be our best asset. The good work they perform is what the community sees and experiences. Their backgrounds and personalities have come together into a team that has given us depth and capability. We are very fortunate.

The new rotating exhibition rooms in the old office and archive space enables our collections to be displayed in a whole new way. Recent acquisitions like the Hurricane of 1938 watercolor and some interesting finds from the depths of our archives have caught media and, in turn, public attention. All of this has brought many more visitors and members into the building, again and again, throughout the year.

The building and grounds are in great shape. The recent exterior paint job and sidewalk work caps off the only critical items left on the building exterior maintenance list. The front gardens have been beautiful all summer long!  Inside, we hope to be able to totally replace the ancient boiler in the basement that heats the south wing with a more efficient model. If this goes according to plan, the savings in oil will begin about mid-winter, hopefully moderating the recent spikes in oil costs which have doubled our heating expenses in the last two years. This has had a very harsh impact on our budget.

Volunteers are a critical part of the Historical Society’s success. We now have a group of over 20 that has taken each of the Saturdays throughout the summer and fall to be docents in the museum. Another group comes to assist every First Friday, since we have become a full participant in this popular monthly event. But more volunteers are needed to share the load. Could you spare a Saturday every couple of months? Or a weekday for a few hours? If you love history, the time just flies by. Please call the office for more information.

In the last few years, we have been very fortunate to come up with the money we have needed for renovations, repairs and special projects. Through generous donations and assorted grants, we have accomplished every project that needed to be done. Our new offices, the renovated sewer system and heating systems are good examples.

We have always felt that if the experience of anyone coming to the Historical Society is good, the money will follow. We keep our eye on the Society’s mission: sharing and celebrating the history of our town. Our standards of professionalism are high. Our efforts at community involvement and keeping the

Society in the public eye have been very successful. However, each year that goes by, we are slowly eroding our endowment due to a shortfall of operating funds. Over the last few years, this has amounted to between $1,000 and $2,000 a month, a small percentage of the total budget, but enough to hurt us if it goes on for very long.

What have we done to put us firmly on a positive financial path?  First of all, our Annual Fund Drive, started just two years ago, has become a significant portion of our operating funds.  A big thank you to everyone who has so generously contributed through that means.  And, after years of trying various types of fundraising events, we feel we have finally hit upon one that fits us very, very well and has the very real potential to be the hoped for once a year fund-raiser that will raise the funds needed to operate the Society throughout the year:  Holiday House.  This happens in just one month!  So much work is being done right now to make this year a big success.  Please make plans to come with friends and family and help us to pass the word on what an excellent event this will be.

Everyone involved here is so good--from our staff to volunteers to members.  The love of our local history is what drives all of this.  If you keep participating and supporting our efforts, we promise you that we will continue to provide the highest quality programs, services, and exhibitions.  Our staff is always happy to answer your questions and assist you with historical research.

Here is what you can do:

· Spread the word!  Tell your friends about those things that you love most about PHS.

· Bring your friends and neighbors with you to see the displays and our research room.

· Volunteer to help at Holiday House

· Volunteer to be a docent on weekdays or Saturdays.

· Keep up your annual membership dues and Annual Fund donations

Your happy involvement is contagious. We always love to see you here!

Jim VanValkenburgh, President