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In 1939, the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) was established. After acquiring Ward School No. 2, the organization opened its museum in 1962. Since then, CCHS has been dedicated to preserving Chenango County’s rich history and serving as an educational resource. The museum offers numerous engagement and learning opportunities, evolving from a preservation-focused entity to a community partner. Programs range from hosting local schools on field trips to celebratory events that bring community members together with music, food, and local vendors. 

CCHS continues to grow, expanding its campus and programming to celebrate local history. This includes acquiring the Chenango Canal building, which is home to the packet boat model “Lillie”, the one-room Ross Schoolhouse, and the Loomis Barn. In the winter of 2023, to maximize their campus and outreach, the Chenango County Historical Society initiated a strategic planning process to shape the organization’s future. Board members and active volunteers were asked to create an assessment that evaluated and planned for their vision of the future of CCHS.

Embodying the role of local museums in rural areas, the Chenango County Historical Society acts as a space for community engagement to thrive. Before the society could continue its mission, it needed to understand two things: whom exactly it serves and what its audiences most need the society to provide. For my project, I was asked to conduct this research through a needs assessment and a thorough audience discovery project. My project is a crucial component of the framework CCHS will use as a base for its growing community engagement programs.

With the guidance of CCHS Executive Director Jessica Moquin, I was able to understand how CCHS operates and the museum’s role in Chenango County. Jessica’s passion for the region and drive to help those around her assisted me tremendously with strengthening my own passion for the project. Through her guidance, I was introduced to local county officials for conducting interviews and met local educators who were eager to strengthen the bond between CCHS and the educational system. Additionally, with Jessica’s hard work and guidance, I was able to explore some of my other interests within the nonprofit world such as fundraising and event planning and development.

Combining the knowledge of the community and the skills I quickly learned during my early weeks at CCHS, I was able to conduct multiple interviews and surveys across an array of audiences. These questions were used to assess where community members see CCHS playing a role within Chenango County. The main audiences I found to be crucial to the next steps of CCHS’ developmental efforts are educators, community members/partners/elected officials, visitors/tourists, and supporters/donors/corporations. These personas then became my focus for my project and were the core components of my continued research.

Moving my project forward, I wanted to connect with the community firsthand, which brought me to an array of qualitative research efforts to gain a better understanding of what Chenango County wanted from the museum. After speaking with local educators, I found that they wished for a component of the museum to come to the classroom to bridge the difficulty of getting students to the museum. Moreover, teachers expressed great fondness for how accurately CCHS ties in local history to the New York State curriculum and hope to see more of that in the future. 

A common concern the community stressed was the need for more PR efforts from the museum to help connect the large county. Through my research, I learned the importance of spreading information with the use of social media, direct advertisement, and mailing as rural areas are spread so thin. While these communities are connected through their county boundaries and a shared Appalachian region, individual towns are often disconnected from one another. As the museum intends to preserve the entire county’s history, it was encouraged by the audiences of CCHS that its outreach should go further than Norwich and its direct neighbors. 

What I found to be so unique about my project was the hands-on communication with the people of Chenango County and giving them the space to voice their opinions and concerns. Hearing directly from the people who call Chenango County home allowed for my project to bring those who are passionate about their hometowns together. Learning about community engagement, local history, and the central New York region through the voices of those who have lived here for generations gave me a greater sense of place than ever before. What makes CCHS so special is the people who have lived in Chenango County for generations and have preserved this rich cultural history through the telling of their experiences. 

The preservation of history through the Chenango County Historical Society plays a crucial role as a community partner, fostering a sense of unity and belonging among residents. Showcasing the unique history and culture of the central New York region, it provides a tangible connection to the past, helping the understanding and appreciation of heritage. Through my time here, I’ve also grown to appreciate how local museums serve as educational hubs, offering events and programs that engage and inspire all age groups. CCHS taught me how nonprofits, through collaboration with schools, local businesses, and community organizations, create a network of support—strengthening community bonds. After working as an Upstate Institute Summer Fellow, I can confidently say that I have a greater understanding of the importance of nonprofit organizations. I am eager to continue growing my knowledge and work with spaces that work towards a united common good.