The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown has received a $250,000 grant challenge for future gallery exhibits from Mary Morton Parsons Foundation in Richmond.
“The grant comes at a crucial time for the new museum,” said Philip G. Emerson, executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. “The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation’s commitment to this project helps us move forward with critical elements of gallery planning.”
JYF submitted a proposal to the Parsons Foundation, which issued an acceptance letter Nov. 26. The foundation will match 50 percent of donations up to $500,000 from individuals and private foundations made through November 2013. If the museum receives $500,000 in donations, it will receive the $250,000 grant from the Parsons Foundation.
“This challenge grant helps provide important momentum to raise the dollars we need to create a museum that instills in current and future generations an appreciation of the people, places and principles that forged our nation,” said Sue H. Gerdelman, JYF president.
The museum is planned to open by late 2016 and will have an 80,000 square-foot building on the 22-acre site. Work is underway on the new museum, which will replace the Yorktown Victory Center. The existing center is open during construction.
“The current estimated total cost of planning, building and exhibit construction, and renovations to the site, including the living-history areas is $50 million,” said Debby Padgett, media relations manager of marketing and retail operations for JYF. “Construction has been funded by the state. Private donations will support elements of gallery and outdoor exhibits – such as acquisition of artifacts for exhibit, production of films, and reproduction items – and for educational resources.”
As of Nov. 30, JYF received a total of $3.09 million in donations and no formal goal has been set for donations, Padgett said. The Parsons Foundation has pledged the challenge grant in support of gallery exhibits at the museum. Outside the museum will be two living-history areas: a Continental Army encampment and a Revolutionary War-era farm.
According to its website, “The Foundation typically issues between $3-5 million annually in grants to support capital projects, mostly on a challenge or matching basis. The Foundation has found that matching grants help organizations raise additional gifts they may not have otherwise received, thus leveraging the impact of the grant to benefit worthy causes.”
“We are confident that this challenge grant will not only help make the galleries of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown rich and full for children and families to enjoy, but will also raise awareness of the importance of private funding in realizing the full potential of the new museum,” said Amy P. Nisenson, executive director of the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation.
Construction began in early summer this year but was postponed because of utility line issues. Work is under way again; a new parking section is being built prior to construction on the building, which is scheduled to start next spring. Detailed information about the project can be found here.
The Yorktown Victory Center is open during construction of the new museum.
For information about giving opportunities in support of the new museum, visit the website or call 888-593-4682 toll-free or 757-253-4139.
