Things looking up for Woonsocket museum

Organization on receiving end of grant that would help with new elevator construction

WOONSOCKET — Thanks to state and city officials, the fledgling Veterans Memorial Museum is $15,000 closer to building a new elevator for its exhibit hall above the American French Genealogical Society’s headquarters on Earle Street.

State Rep. Stephen Casey (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket) presented museum founder Glenn Dusablon with a legislative grant of $5,000 for administrative costs associated with the elevator fundraising campaign Tuesday. Mayor Lisa BaldelliHunt was also on hand to announce that the fiscal 2018 budget includes $10,000 to offset construction costs.

“This is a big deal for an organization like us that’s operating on a shoestring,” said Dusablon. “It’s a big step

in the right direction because it’s going to help us with a laptop and software to promote the capital campaign to raise money for the elevator.”

Founded in 2015, the museum features a dizzying collection of swords, photographs, uniforms and military memorabilia from modern-day conflicts as far back as the Civil War, but Dusablon’s deepest passion is connecting the artifacts to a human face. Virtually every display in the museum is associated with a known soldier – most of them from the Blackstone Valley – whose photograph is often part of the exhibit.

But Dusablon says he worries that without an elevator, the museum might never catch on among some of the folks who are likely to be most interested – senior citizens. Because it’s on the second floor of what was once the First Universalist Church, getting there requires climbing a flight of stairs that could be a challenge for some.

The AFGS, the owner of the building, received a grant of $111,000 to build the elevator from the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission last year. But AFGS board member Bill Beaudoin says that represents only half the cost.

“It’s a matching grant,” he says.

The AFGS and the museum announced a capital fundraising campaign to bridge the gap, but until yesterday it had raised very little.

Baldelli-Hunt sees the museum as an important new asset for the city that’s deserving of support. She says is ought to be accessible to everyone, so she proposed a $10,000 allotment in the 2018 budget to help jump start the capital campaign for the elevator.

“A number of people who would like to come here would have difficulty climbing the stairs,” she said. “So it’s important.”

Casey says the city’s legislative delegation is committed to supporting initiatives to recognize the city’s veterans. When BaldelliHunt launched the new Veterans Park on Davison Avenue, House members sponsored a bill to provide a grant of $10,000 to support construction costs.

The funds approved for the museum may be used solely for administrative costs associated with the elevator, but Casey says he’s hopeful the grant serves as a catalyst for the fundraising campaign.

“These guys have a real fundraising challenge ahead of them and hopefully this legislative grant will help get that thing off the ground,” said the state lawmaker.

Dusablon says that if it weren’t for the AFGS, there might not be a Veterans Memorial Museum. The relationship with the AFGS came about rather unexpectedly, explains Dusablon, who had most of his collection in storage when the society made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.

He was displaying some of his wares for a traveling exhibit at the Elks Club when he ran into Beaudoin, who told him the second story hall at the society’s headquarters was available.

“We’ve got a 20,000square-foot space here and no practical plans for this space,” said Beaudoin. “You can’t really say we charge them rent. It’s just a token.”

The biggest expenses for the museum, which has no paid staff, are utilities and insurance, says Dusablon, who volunteers all his time to keep the doors open. Admission is free for students and senior citizens, but for everyone else the museum suggests a $5 contribution.

Dusablon says he’s also identified about 100 individuals and families who are willing to make regular, modest donations to pay the bills.

“Of course, we’re greatly appreciative of the generous support of the AFGS,” he says.