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Organizers propose Thomas Dambo troll for Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary; fundraising and community build planned
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Summary
Volunteers and Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary leaders presented a preliminary plan to bring artist Thomas Dambo's large outdoor troll sculptures to Capen Hill, discussed fundraising under the sanctuary's nonprofit account, and said the project is in early stages with a target window of 2027'28.
Diane Dougherty, a former recreation commissioner, and Barbara Fredericks, director of Capen Hill Nature Sanctuary, told the Select Board on March 24 they are pursuing a proposal to site one or two large outdoor sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo on Capen Hill's 86-acre sanctuary.
Dougherty described the project as a community-driven attraction that could bring visitors and revenue to Charlton and involve volunteers in the assembly process. Organizers said they have scheduled a meeting with the artist's team and are developing a donation page on the Capen Hill website; fundraising options discussed included Venmo and GoFundMe and using Capen Hill's 501(c)(3) status to accept charitable gifts.
Cost estimates discussed at the meeting varied. Dougherty told the board she had been quoted a range in the low hundreds of thousands for the troll components; one board member cited a figure of roughly $200,000 for the head. Organizers emphasized the numbers were preliminary and dependent on final design and size. "We're on the schedule for 2027, 2028. We're the first in Massachusetts according to them," Dougherty said.
Board members and members of the public offered to help with outreach and to connect organizers to the regional chamber and local businesses. The board did not take any formal action; presenters requested staff assistance with a website link and said they would return with more detailed fundraising and logistics plans.
What organizers said they will do next: meet with the artist's team to finalize siting and cost estimates, establish a restricted donation account at Capen Hill for the project and develop public outreach and volunteer sign-ups. The board and several members of the public offered informal support and suggested potential partners, including local businesses and educational institutions for volunteer labor and student involvement.
