Four months ago, the Johnston Historical Society embarked on a fundraising program that has further enhanced the old-time look at the non-profit’s Museum Barn off Putnam Pike.
It was also a project initiated by Vice President Dan Brown, who suggested the JHS use the so-called modern day fund-raising approach and try its luck on the GoFundMe webpage.
The JHS fence, like those of yesteryear that surrounded people’s property and homesteads, was in need of replacement. So, Brown’s idea met with approval and JHS members like President Louis McGowan and Anthony Ursillo went to work.
“The GoFundMe Fence Fundraiser was a great success for our Society,” said Ursillo, a JHS board member who has chaired other such events. “During the last four months, we had donations come in from all over the United States and we took in $2,400 of our $2,500 goal.”
One of those donations came in the form of a $1,000 check “from a prior Johnston resident who fully understands the importance of preservation and history who now resides in Hawaii but wishes to remain anonymous,” said Ursillo.
Ursillo also said that “we received donations that came in from all sizes…but each and every one was of the utmost importance for the GoFundMe Fence Project.”
As McGowan noted while speaking with Ursillo and other JHS members about the success of the recent fund-raising success, “The fence me in project is complete and adds to the upgrade of the property.”
So much so, few historical non-profits can compare to the JHS when it comes to continuing the old-time look of its property. Both the Elijah Angell House, circa 1824 that’s furnished with period furniture and is on the National Register of Historic Places and adjacent Museum Barn, a post-and-beam house that is filled with many artifacts from the Town of Johnston through the years.
As for the fence, it was installed by Warren Lanpher, who lives in Saunderstown and owns a company entitled Circa Builders 1700. It was Lanpher who has done most of the work at the JHS Museum Barn, including two expansion projects made possible by grants from the Champlin Foundations and has directly resulted in more meeting space for monthly meetings, special events as well as giving more space to Johnston’s history through the years.
Although the JHS won’t hold any meetings or events during July or August, the Museum Barn will soon be open on Tuesday and Thursday nights – from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. except holidays – for people to take a trip back in time and learn more about the Town of Johnston’s historic past.
There’s no admission to view the many artifacts inside the Museum Barn, however, people are welcome to purchase memberships to the JHS. Single memberships are $20 while annual dues for a family are $30.
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