Membership is one of the ways you can support the society as it works to preserve and promote local history. In 2015, just over 50 volunteers donated over 2,400 hours to help the society accomplish its educational and entertaining historical programming. With a population of less than 10,000, the Historical Society served over 2,500 museum visitors and tour takers during its short summer season in 2015. Admission to most of its tours is only $5.00 per person. Many of the Society’s programs are geared towards school-aged children. During the last few years, the Society has directly served school children from Easton, Mapleton, Mars Hill, Presque Isle, and St. Agathe. In 2015, the Society kicked off a new program, Summer History Camps for Kids, ages 8 to 12.
Another segment of the population served by Presque Isle Historical Society is area seniors. Eastern Maine Healthcare’s Community Needs Assessment identifies social isolation as a barrier to good health for our seniors. Presque Isle Historical Society works to remove this barrier by offering charters aboard Molly the Trolley. In addition, the Society is currently seeking funding for its “Skype-a-Docent” program which will offer LIVE tours of its museums with a live docent (trained volunteer guide) via Skype and the Internet. This will allow children whose schools cannot afford field trips and seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities with mobility issues the ability to experience live tours withguides available to answer on-the-spot questions.
Museums are essential educational partners:
- Museums spend more than $2.2 billion annually, ¾ of which is typically spent of K-12 students.
- Museums receive approximately 55 million visits each year from students in school groups.
- Each year, museums provide more than 18 million instructional hours for educational programs.
- Teachers, students and researchers benefit from access to trustworthy information through online collections and exhibits.
- Americans view museums as one of the most important resources for educating children and as one of the most trustworthy sources of objective information.
Museums are economic engines:
- Museums directly contribute $21 billion to the US economy each year and generate billions more through indirect spending.
- 78% of all US leisure travelers participate in cultural or heritage activities. These travelers – including museum visitors – spend 63% more on average than other leisure travelers.
- Governments that support art and culture see an average return on investment of over $7 in taxes for every $1 that the government appropriates.
History is ESSENTIAL in many ways:
TO OURSELVES
- IDENTITY>> History nurtures personal identity in an intercultural world. It enables people to discover their own place in the stories of their families, communities and nation. They learn the stories of many individuals and groups that have come before them and shaped the world in which they live – stories of freedom and equality, injustice and struggle, loss and achievement, and courage and triumph. Through these varied stories, they create systems of personal values that guide their approach to life and in relationships with others.
- CRITICAL SKILLS>>History teaches critical 21st century skills and independent thinking. The practice of history teaches research, judgment of accuracy and reliability of sources, validation of facts, awareness of multiple perspectives and biases, analysis of conflicting evidence, sequencing to discern causes, synthesis to present a coherent interpretation, clear and persuasive written and oral communication, and other skills that have been identified as critical to a successful and productive life in today’s world.
TO OUR COMMUNITIES
- VITAL PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK>> History lays the groundwork for strong, resilient communities. No place really becomes a community until it is wrapped in human memory – family stories, tribal traditions, civic commemorations. No place is a community until it has awareness of its history. Our connections and commitment to one another are strengthened when we share stories and experiences.
- ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT>> History is a catalyst for economic growth. People are drawn to communities that have preserved a strong sense of historical identity and character. Cultural heritage is a demonstrated economic asset and an essential component of any vibrant local economy, providing and infrastructure that attracts talent and enhances business development.
TO OUR FUTURE
- ENGAGED CITIZENS>> History helps people craft better solutions. At the heart of democracy is the practice of individuals coming together to express views and take action. By bringing history into discussions about contemporary issues, we can better understand the origins of and multiple perspectives on the challenges facing our communities and nation. This can clarify misperceptions, reveal complexities, temper volatile viewpoints, open people to new possibilities, and lead to more effective solutions for today’s challenges.
- LEADERSHIP>> History inspires local and global leaders. History provides leaders with inspiration and role models for meeting the complex challenges that face our communities, nation, and the world. It may be a parent, grandparent or distant ancestor, a local or national hero, or someone famous or someone little known. Their stories reveal how they met the challenges of their day, which can give new leaders the courage and wisdom to confront the challenges of our time.
LEGACY>> History, saved and preserved, is the foundation for future generations. History is crucial to preserving democracy for the future by explaining our shared past. Through the preservation of authentic, meaningful places, documents, artifacts, images, and stories, we leave a foundation upon which future American can build. Without the preservation of our histories, future citizens will have no grounding in
Benefits of Membership:
- Tax deductible
- Receive quarterly newsletter
- 10% discount on Trolley Charter
- Membership is inexpensive but impactful! Help us insure our treasures stay locally, are carefully preserved, and that our youth learn about the history of our community.
- Membership allows the Society to continue providing quality programs and services.
- Membership makes a great gift!