By Lisa Carolin
If everything goes as planned, the Chelsea Area Historical Society hopes to pay off its museum’s mortgage in 2019. That is contingent on raising a matching amount in donations to an anonymous donor’s gift of $25,000 in both 2018 and again in 2019.
The museum has a current balance of $120,000, and the CAHS has increased its down payment to lower the monthly payments. CAHS President Bill O’Reilly says that their fall 2017 events, including the October High Tea and After Dark Walking Tours, were all sell-outs.
“Our Historic Homes Tour included five beautiful local homes and was also a hit,” said O’Reilly. “We are looking for home owners interested in having their homes on the next home tour.”
Events scheduled for 2018 include the Annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser honoring Linda Collins on April 24 from 5-8 p.m. at the Chelsea Train Depot, High Tea at the Museum May 19 at 1:30 p.m., and a local garden tour this summer.
“We are looking forward to a major upgrade in the spring of the front yard landscaping with an emphasis on the perspective on historic gardens and being environmentally and visitor friendly,” said O’Reilly. “The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon-3 p.m. and by appointment, and we regularly provide group tours as we did recently for a local cub scout troop.”
The next member meeting is March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Chelsea Train Depot and is open to the public. Topics for presentations at that meeting will be announced soon. There are volunteer opportunities that include docent, doing data input, and one-time help for various events.
The CAHS is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, which means donations are 100-percent tax deductible.
To learn more, go to www.ChelseaHistory.org or call 734-476-2010.
Thanks for the Historical Society posting Lisa!