Letters

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to speak with many residents of the Sag Harbor School District about our funding request (Proposition 4) in the upcoming vote on September 26. Many of you shared stories of coming to the museum over the years, or having your children visit on a school trip, and your appreciation of how we’ve been improving over the years. We thank you all for your support.

If you’re still undecided on how to vote, we just want to take this opportunity to assure you that asking for increased funding is not a decision we took lightly. What we’re asking for amounts to just $1 a month for each school district household. And, for that, every district resident will get free unlimited admission to the museum. That means unlimited museum admission for less than the current admission price for two adults. Talk about value. That alone we think is reason enough to vote “yes.”

But we will be offering so much more. It will mean more exhibits, more programming (lectures, living history demonstrations, live music), and more activities geared toward kids and teens. We want the question “What’s happening at the museum this week?” to be on everyone’s mind. Sag Harbor’s history is fascinating, diverse, artistic, romantic, dramatic and important — and we can’t wait to share it with the world.

We’ll also be able to stay open more days per week, and more months per year — something many local merchants have been asking us to do, as the museum draws thousands of visitors per year, visitors who then eat and shop in the village.

There are a lot of reasons to support the museum: a love of history, civic pride, a personal connection, supporting our community. As you go to vote on September 26, from 2 to 8 p.m., at John Jermain Memorial Library, we hope you will think about what the museum means to you, and what it means to the community as a whole, and hope we can count on your support.

And, most of all, we hope to see you at your museum soon.

Mallon FitzPatrick

President

Bob Weinstein

Vice President

Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum

FitzPatrick and Weinstein signed on behalf of the board of the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum — Ed.