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What's New at the JWJM
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The John W. Jones Museum |
December 2009
Dear Friends of the John W. Jones Museum
As President of the John W. Jones Museum and a proud member of the Elmira Community, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. Donations from people like you make it possibe to preserve this important resource for future generations. Once completed, the museum will be a cultural destination and an investment in our community, increasing torusim in the county and surrounding areas.
The incredible story of one man's life, John W. Jones, illustrates the rich and deverse history we share. Mr. Jones escaped slavery and settled in Elmira where he, as a station master of the Underground Railroad, assisted over 800 enslaved individuals to safely reach freedom. He was also responsible for interring approximately 3,000 Confederate soldiers who died in the Elmira Prison Camp during the Civil War. The museum is a designated site on the NYS UGRR Trail and is on the National and New York State Resiger of Historic Places.
This was one of the busiest years in the museum's hisotry and the Board of Trustees and I are excited to report the following highlights:
- Donations from individuals and businesses plus grants from the Community FOundation and Community Development Department of Elmira made it possible to pay for stabilization of the foundation and walls, electrical and plumbing work, a new roof, a heating/cooling system and a sprinkler system. A local firm donated labor and materials for the exterior paint job!
- JWJM was one of only 5 sites in New York State awarded prepaid interpretive development assistance. Exterior signage designed specifically for the museum will be erected in 2010 and development of an indoor kiosk will begin shortly.
- The JWJM traveling exhibit was displayed at several locations including the Arnot Mall, Steele Memorial an Southeast Steuben Libraries, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Elmira Country Club and the Arnot gden Medical Center. 2010 plans include Economic Opportunity Program, Elmira College and Elmira Free Academy.
There is still a substantial amount of work that must be done and we need your help. Together, we can protect this peice of our history. May we count on you again for this, our Annual Appeal?
Please click here to send your tax exempt gift.
Sincerely,
Lucy Brown, President
John W. Jones Museum
Post Office Box 932
Elmira, New York 14902
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