"A New Day" for the Chatham Historical Museum

FUNDRAISING GOAL: $135,000

Background

The Chatham County Historical Society, Inc. (CCHA) was founded in 1958 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and communicating the history of Chatham County. In 1991 the organization placed a museum in the Chatham County Courthouse in a small area on the first floor. Here exhibits were displayed and archival materials were stored.

Impetus for Change

On March 26, 2010 the historic court house was heavily damaged in a fire that began in the attic on the third floor. The members of the CCHA were able to salvage much of the contents of the archival/museum space.

The Chatham County Commissioners appointed a task force to study the best use of the courthouse space. It was recommended that CCHA would have a museum, workspace, and archival storage on the first floor.

Current Status

An Exhibits Committee of the CCHA was formed in November of 2010 to determine the content of the museum space. The exhibits spotlight Chatham’s history, its people, its unique heritage and economic roots. The museum will serve the general public as well as school groups.

Concurrent with museum planning, fundraising has been taking place. Information was distributed to all CCHA board members and the general membership, leading to a cash donation from CCHA itself for the amount of $35,000. In total, the campaign has raised $27,000 in additional funds, resulting in a total of $62,000 of the $135,000 budget for the project.

At this time the Fundraising Committee is reaching out to the community at large, including businesses and foundations. As most people realize, Chatham County is not the home office of any major corporations. Thus the fundraising efforts are also reaching outside of the county lines. THE MUSEUM AND RESTORED COURTHOUSE WILL OPEN FALL 2012.

Donor levels:

$10,000+: Benefactor

$5,000 - $9,999: President’s Circle

$1,000 - $4,999: Sponsor

$500 - $999: Patron

$250 - $499: Contributor

$25 - $249: Friend

Naming opportunities exist for any individual or group making donations of $5,000 or more.

Contact Barbara C. Pugh (Bpugh1601@earthlink.net) or Susan Little (sslittle@bellsouth.net) for donation information.