Joan Scudder and Sharon Donahe, members of the CCHS Board of Trustees, greet visitors during one of last year’s “Saturday in the Park” sessions. CCHS is launching a new membership program with expanded opportunities. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – The Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS) announced a new membership program with streamlined categories, expanded core benefits, and newly-created offerings.

The new program offers popular benefits – such as voting rights at the annual meeting – while expanding opportunities for members. The new program went into effect this week.

“CCHS is one of the region’s most essential cultural organizations, and we have a thriving membership community that provides critical support for everything we do, from offering unique exhibitions to hosting community programs,” said Executive Director Jessica Moquin.

Additional museum benefits have been added to current offerings. For example, membership at the “Steward” level provides access to more than 30 museums through the Empire State Reciprocal Museum Program (ESRMP). Members who join at the “Benefactor” level can access hundreds of cultural institutions through the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM).

“We are so very grateful to our CCHS Members, and we want all of them to know how important they are in fulfilling our mission,” said Operations Manager Joe Fryc. “Members help us share and celebrate our local cultural heritage. Without members, our museum would not be able to offer everything it does, and we greatly appreciate their support.”

The new program offers seven categories of membership: Basic for $30; Steward for $50; Patron for $95; Benefactor for $125; Preservationist for $250; Founder for $500; or Heritage Circle for $750.

Membership includes benefits for two adults at the same address. Benefits are extended to all persons 18 or under who reside with adult members. Members aged 65 and over may deduct 10 percent from their chosen level of support.

As a special introduction to this new program, all new and renewing CCHS memberships purchased now through Dec. 31, 2022 will be valid through Dec. 31, 2023. Memberships are traditionally valid for 12 months from date of enrollment, and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Members are currently anticipating upcoming CCHS programs, including the Path Through History Festival on Oct. 8, the National Authors Day Celebration on Nov. 1, and the Holiday Open House featuring the annual Parade of Trees on Dec. 4.

First established in 1939, CCHS is the primary organization dedicated to actively and comprehensively preserving the history of Chenango County. The area’s premier heritage museum, the organization celebrates local culture – unique traditions, noteworthy residents, and unusual stories of the region.

The museum’s current seasonal hours are Wednesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call (607) 334-9227 or visit www.ChenangoHistorical.org.

CCHS programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

-Information provided by CCHS