PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Historical Society will ask the Town Council Monday, Feb. 13, for an annual appropriation of $10,000 next fiscal year — more than double what it was …
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PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Historical Society will ask the Town Council Monday, Feb. 13, for an annual appropriation of $10,000 next fiscal year — more than double what it was allocated by the town in the current budget.
The Society, which falls under the “civic support” category of the municipal budget, is receiving $4,000 in this year’s spending plan, although it had originally requested $6,000. In the 2014 and 2015 fiscal year budgets, the group received less than $2,000 from the town, according to budget documents on the town’s website.
In a letter to the town, Historical Society President James Garman acknowledged that the request “represents a considerable increase over previous annual appropriations,” but that additional town financial support was warranted for several reasons:
• The Society has more than quadrupled its membership — from 110 to 466 — under a revitalized board of directors. “We intend to expand this number even more in the coming year as Portsmouth residents continue to develop an interest and enthusiasm about their rich local history,” Mr. Garman stated in his letter.
• Last year, the Society introduced a “robust” series of popular events and lectures, which Mr. Garman said the group plans to build on this year. New events will include “Portsmouth history trivia night for students of Portsmouth High School and Portsmouth Middle School,” he said. In addition, the Society will continue the “Founders Day” event that was initiated last year to recognize those responsible for the founding of Portsmouth in 1638.
• Strong financial support from the town will demonstrate the town’s commitment to the Society’s plans to increase event programming and educational programs, he said.
• Along with Town Planner Gary Crosby, The Society plans to update an inventory of local historic homes and cemeteries in support of the town’s Comprehensive Community Plan, an effort Mr. Garman described as a “major undertaking.”
• The Society’s longterm goal is to make its museum and other facilities handicap-accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “This includes our second-floor gathering space with its 200-plus seating capacity, which will provide a year-round center for town events of all types,” Mr. Garman stated. “Our efforts will initially focus on our ground-floor museum, creating an ADA-accessible entrance and restroom. A portion of the requested appropriation will directly apply as matching funds to grants that we are actively pursuing.”
Monday's meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Portsmouth Town Hall. To view the full agenda, click here.