In the spring and fall of each year, Sarah could be seen in a traditional 1830s costume surrounded by enthusiastic third graders. Photo credit: Gretchen Chingris
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It is with a heavy heart that I announce that the Society’s Museum Educator Sarah Sycz will be leaving the Society at the end of December. In her nearly three years at the Historical Society, Sarah brought about significant and positive changes in the way the Society interacts with the Andover community. We wish Sarah all the best with her next adventure as director of the library in her home town of Kingston, New Hampshire.
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Please join us for a farewell potluck luncheon for Sarah Wednesday, December 23rd, 12:00 noon, at the Historical Society. Please RSVP to Carrie or Elaine and let us know what you would like to bring to the luncheon.
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One of Sarah’s first assigned projects was the establishment of the Andover Farmers’ Market. As Sarah began to research how to build a successful farmers’ market, she discovered that she was not the only person in town exploring the possibility of bringing a farmers’ market to Andover. Over the past three years, Sarah worked with Andover resident Libby Poland to bring the Andover Farmers’ Market to the community. Between July and October, hundreds of people now shop the market, visit the Historical Society, and enjoy the weekly craft activities and demonstrations in the Society’s Blanchard Barn.
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In 2007, Sarah also worked with former Historical Society curator Andy Grilz to reconfigure the exhibits and spaces in the Blanchard Barn. Together they created a new General Store exhibit and Print Shop activity area on the first floor of the barn. Students participating in the Society’s signature third grade program, Andover at Work, no longer climb to the second floor of the barn to experience those segments of the program. Over the year that followed, Sarah led a team of volunteers on a project to revise the now 25 year old Andover at Work program to be more efficient to manage and more enjoyable and educational for the students. Throughout, Sarah worked closely with former Andover teacher Jim Redmond, an Historical Society Board member and head of the Life Long Learning Committee, on new educational programs, community outreach, and a wide variety of new projects.
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From the 1830s to the 1950s...Sarah modeled a 1950s ballgown in the Society's Parade of Party Fashions, December 8th.
This year, Sarah launched and managed the Society’s new oral history program, What’s Your Story? Through the oral history program, the Society was able to gather the personal stories of a number of community leaders before they left us forever. More recently, Sarah worked with Historical Society Office Manager Carrie Midura on a new Volunteer Guild for the Society. This group of enthusiastic volunteers meets monthly for a special program, field trip, or project.
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We will miss Sarah greatly. She brought a level of energy and professionalism to the Society that was much needed and she will be leaving behind a legacy of fine work. Thank you, Sarah!
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Elaine Clements
Executive Director
