Dalton Historical Commission Wants a Home for Its Collection
DALTON, Mass. — The Historical Commission wants to find a location to display its artifacts and documents for the community.
The commission has a wide range of items that it has obtained over the years, including sports memorabilia, a World War 1 uniform, government documents, pictures, and more.
Chair Deborah Kovacs said Select Board Chair Joe Diver had recommended the commissioners consider displaying some of its pieces at the schools.
The commissioners liked that idea because it would provide students with the opportunity to learn about their town's history.
But some were concerned about the items' safety. If the school has a casing where the items can be displayed without the risk of damage, they are willing to explore that idea.
They have not yet reached out to the school to discuss the opportunity.
Although they like the idea of displaying their historical artifacts temporarily, they would really like a permanent space.
The commission had a museum in the basement of Town Hall in 1990 but it closed six or seven years later because it was too damp and had poor air conditions.
Now it has a 20-by-20 room at Town Hall but that is closed to the public because of the building's renovation work.
The collection is now being stored at First Congregational Church, in the basement of the Town Hall, at the historic Fitch-Hoose House, and at Kittredge House.
The renovations are a blessing in disguise, Kovacs said, because it is encouraging commissioners to dig deeper into their collection and rediscover what they have.
Although the collection is organized, the categories are broad and some items have been tucked away. As they look further into the collection they find things they wouldn’t expect — such as the charter for the Fire District.
The commission does not have a fire proof cabinet to protect all its critical documents so is in the process of trying to obtain one.
Kovacs reached out to the Town Accountant Sandra Albano to inquire about getting one but was told that they can cost $5,000 to $10,000.
The commission currently has $3,223.03 in its town account, $2,291.51 in its donation account, and about $7,000 in its Friends of the Fitch-Hoose House checking account.
The commission received a $5,000 grant from the Cultural Council to fund establishing its districts but are not there yet so Kovacs recommended looking into seeing if they could change the reason for the grant and use it to purchase a fireproof cabinet since that is more critical.
Some members of the commission questioned the high cost of the fireproof safe because it was not that steep when they looked a few years back.
Commissioner Thomas Snyder said he found some cheaper than the estimate given.
Fellow commissioners recommended saving the $5,000 grant for its original purpose and using funds from the Fitch-Hoose House checking account to fund purchasing a cabinet.
The commission is also interested in obtaining additional Dalton historical items from the Crane Museum that has now closed.
Crane & Co. sold its business to a Connecticut-based company, Crane Co., closing its museum.
It is unclear what they are going to use the building for but commissioners noted that residents can no longer even visit the outside of the building because of a gate.
Due to the historical significance some of the museum's items had to Dalton, the commission feels they should have some say as to what happens to it, Kovacs said.
They are still in communication with the new owners on getting some of the items.
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