Bennington Museum Successfully Reaches $2.7 Million Milestone for the Century Campaign

(Bennington, Vermont) Bennington Museum is delighted to announce that, through the tremendous support of our community, they have successfully reached their initial fundraising goal of $2.7 million for the ambitious Century Campaign. This multifaceted capital initiative, which aims to raise a total of nearly $8 million, is set to significantly enhance the museum experience for all visitors. The funds will be utilized to transform the approach and entrance to the Museum, renovate the beloved Grandma Moses Schoolhouse into a multi-purpose meeting and creator space, and relocate administrative offices, thereby allowing for expanded galleries and storage. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative spirit and commitment of our community, reflecting our shared vision for a more inclusive and engaging cultural hub.

Project 1 focuses specifically on exterior infrastructure improvements to the parking lot and courtyard that will directly improve visitor access and roadside appeal.  A lobby renovation will make the main point of entry more welcoming as well.

“Now that the funding is in place we are focused on wrapping up the final permitting with the state of Vermont in order to break ground immediately upon approval.,” says Martin Mahoney, Bennington Museum executive director. ”We want the exterior of the Museum to be as engaging and dynamic as the treasures housed within,” he continues. “This Campaign, and specifically Project 1, will allow our building and campus to be a point of pride for our community – a gateway landmark between traffic from the west and downtown. We want people driving by to feel compelled to stop in and get a taste of what this area is all about, because the amount of history and culture generated right here is really astounding.”

The Century Campaign is so named because in 2028 the Museum will celebrate its 100-year anniversary.  The Museum’s mission is to collect, interpret, and celebrate the creativity and culture of our region across time. Through an ever-evolving collection and supporting programming, the Museum shares the Vermont narrative, specifically in the Bennington region, and highlights the achievements of those who have lived here. Today, Bennington Museum is the foremost collecting institution in southern Vermont, with 45,000 objects including primary resources from the Battle of Bennington, pristine 19th century Bennington ceramics, the 1863 Jane Stickle quilt, and the largest public body of work by famed American artist Anna Mary Robertson “Grandma” Moses. These significant collections embody a unique sense of place, and although they have been loaned throughout the world, they are best understood by more than 20,000 visitors each year in the context of the very environment in which they were created.

“The support for our capital campaign has been incredible, allowing us to reach our Project 1 benchmark within just one year from our announcement last June” says Jennifer Fels, chair of the Museum’s Board of Trustees. “I am so grateful and proud of this community for rallying around the Museum. The programs and exhibitions we offer are extraordinary for a small rural organization and are of particular interest right now as we recognize the 250th anniversary of American independence. It is wonderful to see people taking note of that and contributing to make sure that we continue to be the best resource we can be for years to come.”

The $2.7 million raised for Project 1 of the Century Campaign will be used to work with Terrigenous Landscape Architects and MSK Engineers to design the new visitor welcome sequence.

Courtyard
The Courtyard will be leveled and expanded so that it can better accommodate large visiting groups or performers. It will be re-built in a circular form with interlocking stone pavers whose configuration is inspired by pieces in the Museum’s collection.  “The Abenaki basket is the framework for the courtyard disc, and the outside edges of that are finished in the shape of a gear,” says Terrigenous lead designer, Scott Wunderle.  His colleague and son, Tuckerman Wunderle continues, “Through a collaborative effort [with the Museum advisory team] this project ended up being a really interesting blend of local artistry, local craftsmanship, and historical sentiment that I think is going to make a great space for the people of Bennington.”

Parking and Utilities
While entry and exit points will remain roughly the same, key safety improvements will be put in place with the assistance of MSK Engineers. Traffic will become directional with more parking spaces and bus parking that will enable visitors to enter the Museum more easily. The exterior entry and pathways will be well marked and illuminated with new lighting. There will be EV chargers, bike racks, green-scape buffers, and clearly delineated accessible sidewalks to keep visitors out of the way of traffic. Terraced levels will provide better drainage and more stable footing, and the pavement will be pulled back from the front of the Museum so that the building rests in a curated park instead of just a parking lot.

Entrance and Lobby
The Courtyard plans will include an automated entry door and snow shield that will protect visitors from falling shoulder season ice. Removing the internal vestibule will improve the moment of arrival and allow more space to mingle in the lobby. The flooring will be refinished, and better integrated wheelchair access will contribute to a cohesive and uncluttered entry that will set the stage for a positive visit to the Museum..

Halfway to the overall goal
Not only has Bennington Museum fully funded the first phase of their capital campaign, but since kicking-off in June 2024, the Century Campaign has raised more than half of the overall $8 million goal, putting them well on their way to achieving the next two phases on schedule in their five-year timeline.  In fact, following closely on the heels of this Project 1 success, they hope to close-out the remaining $300,000 of needed funding for Project 2 – the Grandma Moses Schoolhouse renovation- at this same time next year. Project 3, the final and largest part of this campaign, will fund a new administration building on an adjacent offsite parcel and spark a cascade effect in the Museum proper which will allow a reorganization and expansion of galleries to fill the newly vacated space. This project, which is being designed by Goldstone Architecture, has an estimated cost of $4 million, with sustaining endowment funds built in. To date, $1 million has been pledged.

“When we launched the Century Campaign, we gave ourselves a 5 year leadtime to reach completion,” explains Mahoney. “Having already hit our halfway mark in one year’s time has exceeded my expectations and galvanized our entire board and staff as we tick off the phases of this monumental plan. On behalf of all of us at Bennington Museum, thank you for your continued generosity and for making it possible for us to be the best we can be for this community.”