An aerial view od the Westfield Museum at 360 Elm Street. File (Photo )
WESTFIELD – The Westfield Museum Inc., located at 360 Elm St., was recently awarded a $15,000 matching grant by the Beveridge Family Foundation, to help establish a living museum of the city’s industrial past.
The Beveridge Family Challenge Grant will match dollar for dollar money raised by the Westfield Museum Inc. which is located in the last whip factory in the city and which continues to manufacture whips with equipment dating to the late 1800s when Westfield was the whip manufacturing capital of the world.
The museum concept was initiated to create a living museum at 360 Elm St. by Carol Martin, who owns the Westfield Whip Manufacturing Company.
WHIPP, Inc. merged with Westfield Museum Inc., a group formed to showcase the city’s industrial history, thus expanding the scope of the original living museum concept to include a display area that will be used for other aspects of the city’s industrial past. The merger of the two 501-C3 organizations was effective as of July 1, 2012.
The WMI Board of Directors has established a goal of raising $15,000, with community support from individuals, businesses and other organizations, prior to Dec. 15, 2015
Judge Peter Velis, president of WMI, said this morning that goal of the museum is to give city residents a venue displaying the city’s industrial past.
“I’m hoping that Westfield residents see the vision of Westfield which has been a breeding ground for innovation,” Velis said.
“I’m so grateful that an institution with the stature of the Beveridge Family Foundation for recognizing the WMI as a legitimate benefit to the city,” Velis said. “This grant is a milestone for WMI. To have the Beverage Family Foundation, an organization with incredible stature and strong local ties, express their belief in our mission and vision is huge.”
WMI was initiated to collect, house and display Westfield’s significant artifacts and memorabilia dating from the Industrial Revolution. Funds collected through the Making History Community Challenge will support the museum’s vision of preserving Westfield’s most visible landmark while establishing a world-class museum, promoting neighborhood economic development, an educational vehicle for city school children and preserving the city industrial heritage.
WMI Vice-President Walter Fogg, who is also a member of the city’s Historical Commission, said “the generosity of the Beverage Family Foundation helps us take a great step forward toward our goals of making and preserving history,
“We are hopeful the local community will respond to this challenge and this historic moment,” Fogg said.
Project Director Carol Martin said “we look forward to the day when Westfield will open the doors to an unique museum to house and display historical artifacts and memorabilia , as well as a place where the study of its signature industry, whip making, will take place.”
