Museums on the Green Plans New Education Center

Falmouth announces a new milestone in its development as a center for the collection, preservation, study and enjoyment of the town’s history. At its April meeting, the Board of Directors of the Falmouth Historical Society unanimously approved plans for a new addition to the Hallett Barn Visitor Center, which will serve as an education center. 

Designed by the Falmouth architectural firm of Keenan & Kenny, the 1,800 square foot addition will provide much-needed year-round meeting and exhibit space. This will enable expanded educational programming on site with workshops, lectures and talks for adults and children. The main floor is handicapped-accessible and includes restrooms and a kitchen.

The new center has been carefully designed to blend with the existing barn structure, in keeping with the historic nature of the Museums on the Green.   Public restrooms and a kitchen are included. Construction is by Mike Duffany Builders.

The expansion will triple the amount of climate-controlled storage space under the main floor, which will allow secure consolidation of the historical society’s more than 15,000 artifacts, 60 works of art and 134,000 documents from Falmouth’s past. In addition to these, the research and genealogical library contains over 700 volumes of reference material.

Additional benefits of the new addition include the ability to accommodate large cultural tour groups and to provide rental space for outside groups and organizations. Since the Society relies on donations, membership and program/event income to cover annual expenses, the expanded space will help to generate additional revenue. 

Founded more than one hundred years ago, the Falmouth Historical Society is the oldest on Cape Cod. Its mission is to preserve, present, celebrate and share the history of the Cape Cod town of Falmouth through collections, educational programs and interpretive exhibits at its Museums on the Green.  

The museums are located at 55-65 Palmer Avenue at the end of the Village Green in Falmouth.  Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.  For more information, visit www.FalmouthHistoricalSociety.org or call 508-548-4857.