Archives asks $1.25 million to expand exhibit space ahead of 250th anniversary

Agency representatives from Archives and History told the K‑12 subcommittee they seek $1,250,000 in additional funds to expand exhibit space and add meeting space as part of preparations for the state’s 250th commemorations.

The presenter said the current exhibit space is about 600 square feet and that the expansion to roughly 2,200 square feet would allow permanent displays of foundational state documents and additional rentable meeting space overlooking the garden. The agency said the funds would support completing the project by 2027 so exhibits would be available during the latter part of the statewide sesquicentennial/250th observances.

The presenter described two historic documents offered for display: an Articles of Association drafted by a Provincial Congress in June 1775 and a Commons House of Assembly journal covering 1772–1775. The presenter said the original Articles of Association is held by the New York Public Library and the agency is pursuing a loan for the bicentennial/250th period.

Last year the agency reported receiving $1,000,000 in nonrecurring funds and $1,000,000 in capital funds; the new $1,250,000 request is intended to begin and complete the exhibit expansion. The presenter said the work would create a permanent exhibit of the state’s foundational documents and allow the archives to raise additional revenue by renting expanded space.

No formal committee votes or motions on the request are recorded in the transcript.

Ending: The presenter thanked the committee and invited questions; the committee then proceeded to the next presentation.