Company Profile
Greenwich Historical Society
Company Overview
Founded 90 years ago as an organization devoted to collecting and interpreting the community’s history, Greenwich Historical Society has evolved into a vital and growing campus with a nationally-significant historic site, award-winning museum and a multi-faceted range of programs and activities. Located on the historic Cos Cob Harbor, home of Connecticut's first art colony, the Historical Society has two main areas of focus: as a museum (galleries, Bush-Holley House, education center) with related exhibitions and education programs for children and adults, and as a center for Greenwich history (library and archives, preservation and publication programs). Its stated mission is: “We preserve and interpret Greenwich history to strengthen the community’s connection to our past, to each other and to our future.”
The Historical Society’s public facilities include the National Historic Landmark Bush-Holley House (circa 1730); the Hugh and Claire Vanderbilt Education Center, set in a mid-19th century barn; and the recently opened Museum, Library & Archives building that is annexed to the former railroad hotel and saloon known to the artists of the Cos Cob art colony as “Toby’s.” Administrative offices are located in the Justus Luke Bush Storehouse (circa 1805). The exterior of all the historic buildings, landscape and gardens have been restored to their appearance during the Cos Cob Impressionist art colony that thrived between 1890 and 1920.
In addition to its permanent historic house museum, each year the Historical Society mounts temporary exhibitions that focus on the art and artists of the Cos Cob art colony, the museum collections, and other aspects of the community’s ongoing history. The collections document Greenwich's evolution from a colonial New England settlement to a residential suburb of metropolitan New York. They include a fine collection of 18th century Connecticut case furniture and decorative arts, costumes, textiles and tools from the 18th through the early 20th centuries. Early American portraits and Impressionist art works by Cos Cob art colony members Childe Hassam, John Twachtman and Elmer MacRae are exhibited both in the permanent collections gallery and in the original domestic setting in which they were created or displayed, providing a unique historical context. The Historical Society also increases community awareness about the preservation of Greenwich's historic buildings and sites and has a variety of programs and resources that support its mission in this area. The Library and Archives make collections and library materials available for research, and staff respond to research requests by visitors, online and by phone.
Approximately 3,000 school children and 11,000 adults and families are served annually by the Historical Society's programs, which include tours of its historic house museum; permanent and changing exhibitions; lectures and hands-on learning for adults, families and children; teacher and student programs; research opportunities; publications; and the documentation of Greenwich's historic landmarks and sites.
Having completed a $13.5 million campaign in 2018 to expand its facilities and programs, the Historical Society continues to raise $1.5 million annually for its core programs and in 2023 will launch a $3-5 million campaign for programs, endowment and capital upgrades to Bush-Holley House. The Board also authorized the formation of a planned giving program that is called “The Vanderbilt Society” that seeks to enlist bequests and other future gifts, including promised gifts of art work. The Development Director will play a vital role in assisting the board and senior management with the implementation of the FY 22 – FY 26 Strategic Plan goals, and the development of a fundraising strategy to support the expanded annual operating budget and capital development plan.
Under the leadership of Executive Director, Debra Mecky, the Historical Society, during the past 26 years, attained AAM reaccreditation (2020), developed an award-winning dual interpretation of Bush-Holley House and expanded its campus, most recently with the restoration and building of the new 10,000 sq. ft. facility. The Historical Society has an operating budget of approximately $2.2 million and a $3.5 million endowment, and is governed by a 34 member Board of Directors. There is a staff of 12 full-time, 12 part time and over 200 volunteers who play a vital role in supporting fundraising events. To learn more about Greenwich Historical Society and the Town of Greenwich, go to: www.greenwichhistory.org and www.greenwichchamber.com.
Benefits
Flexibile schedule
Within walking distance of train to NYC