Exciting things are happening at the Georgi Museum & Park Center! Over the past few months, the Georgi Board has been hard at work laying the foundation for a strong and sustainable future, while continuing to enhance the museum and beautiful grounds for the community to enjoy.
Big News: Nonprofit Status in Progress
We’re getting closer to becoming an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit! This crucial step will open the door to new funding opportunities, grants, and expanded programming.
Financial Updates
- The Town of Salem and Georgi Museum & Park Center have completed their MOU/Lease Agreements.
- Funding for The Georgi Museum & Park Center is provided by quarterly payments from the Georgi Trust, rentals, and donations. Recent donations continue to come in—thank you to our supporters!
- Plans are underway for new creative fundraising, including photo cards, gift shop items, plant sales, Town Wide Tag Sale table rentals, a Memorial Paver Project, and adding Venmo signage around the Park for Visitor Donations.
Facility Improvements
We’re making great strides in improving the museum and grounds:
- The ADA accessible door is being upgraded thanks to a generous grant from the Washington County Home for Aged Women.
- Repairs are planned for the deck slate and steps around the Museum.
- Community Room upgrades continue, including painting the bathrooms and installing a diaper changing table.
- New lighting is being explored for the Parking Lot and Museum.
- HVAC options are being explored to better protect the building and collections.
- Septic system work has been completed.
Inside the Museum
We’re rethinking how visitors experience the Georgi:
- Adding interpretive signage to highlight the collection
- Adding new lighting
- Exploring period-appropriate seating
- Rotating displays to make visits more engaging and informative
Community & Events
The Georgi is growing as a community hub:
- Volunteer opportunities are expanding—students, local groups, and community members welcome!
- We’ll be welcoming students from Salem Washington Academy and folks from the Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District for a Community Service Day (May 21), focusing on cleaning, painting, and invasive species education and eradication.
- The Mettawee Players and Washington County Band/Salem Rotary Ice Cream Social will be returning this summer.
- We continue to host events like plant sales, private rentals, and more.
- The Georgi will partner with other area attractions to encourage more visitors to the area.
Website Refresh Coming Soon
We are in the initial stages of updating our website for a cleaner, more engaging look that better reflects the Georgi’s history and future. Stay tuned for a refreshed online presence—and a new domain as we become a nonprofit: www.thegeorgi.org.
Get Involved: There’s a place for you at the Georgi!
The Georgi is a community-driven organization managed by an all-volunteer Board of Directors. We rely on your support to continue preserving and improving this special place.
Volunteer with Us
We’re always looking for helping hands! Some volunteer opportunities include:
- Greeting visitors at the museum Sat/Sun 10-1 May through October
- Helping with events and fundraisers
- Assisting with gardening and grounds care
- Supporting special projects
Help Spread the Word
Tell your friends, share our events, and invite others to visit—your support helps our community grow!
Donate
Your contribution helps fund building improvements, museum care, and community programming over and above what is provided for by the Georgi estate—every dollar makes a difference. Checks may be mailed to: The Georgi Museum & Park Center, PO Box 124, Shushan NY 12873 or made via Xpress Pay online www.thegeorgi.com
Thank you for being part of the Georgi community—we couldn’t do it without you!
Laura Dunham, Brenda Levey, David Owen, Mary Menard, Aggy Duveen
The Georgi Museum & Park Center Board of Directors