[MassHistPres] Results of survey on historical society dues

[David Temple]

Thanks to all who responded to my survey (at bottom) last Tuesday on Massachusetts historical society dues. It certainly helps us as we consider changes in our dues structure.  
 
Here's a summary of what I learned:
  
For the survey on historical society dues, I received replies from Agawam, Bedford, Dorchester, Hatfield, Hingham, Lynn, Marlborough, Mendon, Needham, Newton, Upton, West Stockbridge,  Whately, Williamsburg, plus the Old Chelmsford Garrison House Museum. 
  
Generally speaking, the bigger towns had older societies and higher dues. The simplest dues structure was a flat $10 per year for everyone. The most complex had ten different rates and hierarchies of sponsorship, ranging from $10 for a student to $1,000 for a lifetime household membership. Virtually all asked for additional donations in some way. 
  
Individual adult memberships ranged from $5 to $40, with a median of $25. 
  
Family memberships ranged from $15 to $50, with a median of $35, except for one at $100. 
  
Life memberships were offered at half the societies; they ranged from $35 to $1,000. (The society with the highest individual dues has abolished life memberships.) 
  
Half the societies offered senior and/or student discounts. 
  
Half the societies sought patron or sustaining or silver or gold or similarly named benefactors, typically three steps like $100-200-300 or $100-250-500. 
 

ORIGINAL SURVEY BELOW:
 
Medfield was settled in 1649 and has a population of 12,000. The Medfield Historical Society, established 1891, is seeking information about other historical societies' dues structures. I will share the survey results with all responders.

Here's our dues structure:

Regular adult individual (year)  - $25; adult life membership - $500
Regular family (year) - $40.
Senior (60+) individual (year) - $10; senior life membership - $200.
Senior couple (year) - $20.
Student (year) - $3.

What's yours?


      
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