Nahant Historical Society seeks volunteers, donations

NAHANT – Preserving history comes at a price and the Nahant Historical Society is asking area residents to consider helping the society by volunteering or making a donation.Nahant Historical Society Assistant Curator Bonnie D’Orlando said supplies for storing historical materials – especially acid free storage boxes and corrosion intercept pouches – can easily cost hundreds of dollars.”Our small museum uses part of its annual budget to purchase the proper materials to store the collections,” she said. “But we need more materials for proper storage to preserve history for future generations. We could really use donations to help purchase these materials.”The NHS was founded in 1975 during the town’s bicentennial. Since that time it has been run by its devoted volunteers and on a shoestring budget.The society has expanded since moving into the Nahant Community Center in 2002 and is currently spread out over four rooms on two different floors.In addition to the need for materials to preserve the collection, D’Orlando said after years of service, much of the office equipment in the NHS office has become obsolete.”One of the most pressing office needs is a new photocopying machine and stand,” she said. “It is going to cost about $800 to buy a new copier.”Curator Calantha Sears said many people have given their precious time, necessary skills and creative talents to build the Society into a vibrant museum with a library reference room, an artifact storage facility and an exhibition gallery.She said volunteers are the museum’s “greatest treasure” and additional volunteers are always needed. She said knowledge of proper curatorial methods is not needed – the only prerequisite for volunteering is enthusiasm.D’Orlando said cataloguing; labeling and storing artifacts are just a few of the tasks that are performed by volunteers.”We train them to handle artifacts properly,” she said. “All volunteers need is a willingness to help out and learn.”She said volunteers and interns also assist with research, creating special programs, assembling and disassembling exhibits. Volunteers also write and publish the Society’s many publications including the annual report and newsletters.Anyone, who would like to volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation should contact the Nahant Historical Society at 781-581-2727 or send a check to Nahant Historical Society, 41 Valley Road, Nahant 01908. D’Orlando said donors could specify if they would like their donation to be used for archival materials.