[MassHistPres] Small museum--assessment, advice, exhibit design, assets

[Blair F. Bigelow]

The Pelham MA Historical Society is looking for qualified professional advice and assessment of its museum, one of two Pelham buildings in the Register of Historic Places. One is the 1743 Meetinghouse/Old Town Hall; Jonathan Edwards delivered the first sermon in August 1743, and later in the century Daniel Shays was a parishioner. The Historical Society Museum was originally constructed in 1839 as the new church in response to the Massachusetts Constitutional amendment separating church and state. In the 1960's the church disbanded and the building then because the Historical Society Museum. The exterior remains unchanged except for new paint under the guidance of an historic preservation paint expert. From the interior, the pews have been removed, the space now open for exhibits and displays. This is where we need qualified, i.e., professional and experienced, advice and assessment. 

The town of Pelham has two major historical assets: one is a collection of antique 19th and early 20th century fly rods manufactured in Pelham by the Montague Fly Rod factory. (That building still stands and houses a trade publishing concern.) The other historically significant asset is that Pelham was the residence of Daniel Shays and was the center of Shays' Rebellion. The museum has a variety of other assets--textiles, dish ware, furniture, etc. A serious problem is lack of storage space in general and of climate control in both the Museum and The Meetinghouse/Old Town Hall. 

For further information, please contact Blair F. Bigelow, Secretary of the Pelham Historical Society, blairf.bigelow at comcast.net. 


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