Adams Historic Society to Have New Exhibit Space
ADAMS, Mass. — The Historical Society will install exhibit space in the back wing of the library using memorial funds donated in the name of a local woman Jean Marie Beauchemin.
The library trustees approved the Historical Society's request during a meeting last week to make modifications to the library's back right hallway so the society can have a more visible and accessible exhibit space.
Trustee and society member Eugene Michalenko said the society has nearly $3,000 that was donated through a Beauchemin memorial fund.
Beauchemin was an Adams native who had been executive director for the Pittsfield Council on Aging and, before that, the Adams Council on Aging. Beauchemin died in 2013.
"She passed away and the memorial fund was set up in her name," Michalenko said. "We felt this would be a good use of the money and we would like to maybe put a plaque there."
Michalenko said the plan is to install fabric-covered mounting boards, like what is in Town Hall, for mounting photos and informational posters. He said the boards will not affect the historical integrity of the walls or woodwork of historic building.
"We are trying to be as unobtrusive as possible," he said. "We don't want to drill holes in the woodwork or anything like that."
He said he hopes to be able to light the walls to make the documents more visible.
"I was thinking some arc lights over the top or something would work," he said. "It's OK as it is now but I think the lighting could be better."
Michalenko said the society will also purchase a lighted glass cabinet to display artifacts. He said the wall displays are all copies but the artifacts are real and should be securely displayed.
He said in the future it may be a good idea to install a banner.
"Maybe on that big arch there I would like to see a banner come down so when people come into the library they will see us," he said.
Trustee David Strzepek said he was glad that the Historical Society was going to use the space.
"That area was always intended for you guys to use and I think it's a good idea," he said.
Tags: adams library, historical documents, historical society,
