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Madison Center for History and Culture to Open in 2019

The Madison Historical Society (MHS) announces the redevelopment of Lee’s Academy on Madison’s historic green into a center of history and culture open to all residents and visitors.

Supported by a $138,600 grant from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development under its Good to Great program, and in response to a resurgence of interest in historic preservation, the proposed center will be a one-stop opportunity to enhance cultural literacy and public engagement. While sharing the story of Madison through photographs, maps, documents, and artifacts, it will provide information about other Madison cultural organizations and historic sites and will serve as a convenient gateway to the interactive Madison Green National Historical District tour, developed by the society and Daniel Hand High School students as part of its centennial in 2017.

In announcing this transformative grant, MHS President Jim Matteson said the project reflects the MHS’s commitment to adaptively preserve our historic buildings and use them in a sensitive manner.

“The state money will, however, cover only 75 percent of the total cost of the renovation,” he added. “The MHS has committed to fund the balance and has launched a fundraising campaign in support of this project.”

Currently, much of the MHS’s collection of 8,000-plus objects, stored at the Allis-Bushnell House, is seldom seen. The new center will house a rotating selection of the most intriguing and important elements of this collection throughout the year. In addition, it will include flexible space for meetings, special events, and pop-up exhibitions to be used by the society as well as other community organizations. The building’s original use as a schoolhouse will be highlighted by exposing its original blackboard and windows. Its recently restored teacher’s desk will be returned to its rightful place.

MHS trustee and Properties Committee co-chair Dennis Flynn will manage the project, which will begin shortly.

“We expect to be open to visitors by the end of the year,” Flynn said. “Besides the exciting new uses, we will stand out as a historic site sensitive to the needs of all with an ADA-compliant bathroom and entrance.”

The town’s oldest civic organization, the MHS is a member-supported educational nonprofit committed to preserving the rich cultural heritage of Madison. Through its educational programs and events, it engages the community and helps people make meaningful and personal connections to Madison’s history. Its efforts are bolstered by strong relationships with Madison’s other educational and cultural organizations. Among these are the E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, the Deacon John Grave Foundation, the Charlotte L. Evarts Memorial Archives, the Friends of Hammonasset, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Madison.