North Andover Historical Society: Making History on the Common Campaign

THE NORTH ANDOVER HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Making History on the Common Campaign Statement of Intention

BACKGROUND The North Andover Historical Society, a member

part of the heart and soul of North Andover,

supported non-profit, has shaped the town we

and the Merrimack Valley, for more than one

know and love. The Society has worked tirelessly

hundred years.

and documents for decades so that our most significant stories are not lost. Why are these stories so important? Because they help us find meaning in our lives today, create greater understanding of the world around us, and help us strengthen connections with our community in the present. Every experiential educational program we offer for children and adults, every exhibit, each one of the 2,305 artifacts tells a story, strengthens our ties to one another, and enriches our lives. Whether you realize it or not, the North Andover Historical Society has been

The Society is now poised to take a giant step forward in what we offer, and how we serve, our community, with the launch of our historic $1 million Making History on the Common Campaign.

“

What excites me the most about this project is that it will bring people together and add so

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to preserve our most precious properties, artifacts

much vibrancy to the Old Center.

- Kathy Stevens

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THE VISION Celebrating Our Past and Building our Future Our vision is to create an innovative hub for community engagement through the exploration of history, culture, and the built environment that will bring new energy to the iconic Old Center.

During Phase I of our campaign, the Society modernized the sixty- year old former Merrimack Valley Textile Museum into a net-energy neutral building using the latest green energy technology.

This effort transformed the building into a bright, expansive canvas ready to be converted into an engaging contemporary museum. Phase I was supported through generous lead gifts. To honor the building’s original donor, Caroline Stevens Rogers, it will be named the Caroline Stevens Center.

“

I love the idea of being able to meet a friend to explore a pop-up exhibit or

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attend a performance. The Old Center really needs something like this.

- Brad Wakeman

We are now prepared to launch Phase II of the campaign, with your support, to raise $1 million to turn the Caroline Stevens Center into a cutting edge facility celebrating the history of North Andover. The building’s interior will be transformed into spaces for long term and rotating exhibits, educational, civic and cultural events, and new headquarters for the Society.

These spaces will be welcoming, dynamic, and handicapped accessible. The North Andover Historical Society’s Caroline Stevens Center will be a gem in the Old Center.

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PROJECT DETAILS A Remarkable Transformation The Society has created an exciting vision

Helen Wood Library & Archive

for the Caroline Stevens Center:

A new library and archive will feature

Lobby The Center will have a spacious and welcoming lobby where visitors can stop in to socialize,

environmentally controlled and secure space for the storage of original artifacts and documents.

grab a cup of coffee, browse our 1646 Bookstore

The new locations will allow visitors and

and explore rotating exhibits.

researchers to access these items while minimizing the potential for loss or damage.

Worden Theater A flexible, new 75-seat theater will provide the local community with a space for presentations, readings, debates, small plays, musical performances and more.

Horace N. Stevens History Wing A renovated exhibit hall will provide ample space for both long term and rotating exhibits highlighting North Andover’s history and stories of the people, places, and events that contributed to its heritage. This space will also double as a venue for public and private functions.

Community Room & Kittredge Family Kitchen

Energy Alive Gallery

A second floor community room and new kitchen

This unique gallery will offer visitors an interactive

will provide North Andover residents a place

experience on the history of energy and

to host meetings and other social gatherings,

transportation in North Andover, and the region,

something that is sorely needed in town.

by exploring how we get power, heat our homes, run our factories and move around. Exhibits will blend history and science and the building’s renewable energy systems will be on display. In the future, emerging efficiency and sustainability concepts will be featured in the gallery.

Accessibility Renovations to the Caroline Stevens Center, including an elevator, will make the building fully accessible and ADA compliant, ensuring every visitor can enjoy exhibits, programs and community spaces.

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PHASE II

PROJECT BUDGET Accessibility

$250,000

Library & Storage

$80,000

Technology

$90,000

Exhibit Space

$500,000

Theatre

$80,000

TOTAL

$1,000,000

CAMPAIGN TIMEFRAME Making History on the Common Campaign TIMELINE AND BENCHMARKS $138,570

$500,000

$750,000

$1,000,000

Raised to date

Raised

Raised

Raised

WE DID IT! 10/1/20

2/1/21

6/1/21

2/1/22

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LEADERSHIP The North Andover historical society is led by Executive Director, Brian Howard with the support of Board President, Christian McVey, and a dedicated and generous board. *Denotes campaign steering committee members.

Board of Trustees

Kara Kaufman

Christian McVey*, Board President

Joe LaGrasse*

Alexander Loth, Vice President

Kathy Stevens*

Susan Haltmaier*, Treasurer

Mark Svendsen

Nathan Weinreich, Secretary

Ashley Vaillancourt

Kelly Cormier

Tracy Wakeman

Marion Donahue

James Worden*

Diane Huster*

CONCLUSION The Making History on the Common Campaign represents an incredible opportunity to make an impact on the quality of life in North Andover for people of all ages and backgrounds. But we can’t make this exciting project a reality without people like you, who care about our community, stepping up and showing their support. This project is an investment in history, culture, community pride, civic engagement, and collaboration. Won’t you join us on this exciting journey?

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