As part of a multi-year project to restore and rehabilitate the historic museum, the CPA awards $125,000 for the repainting of the Main Building, which will be matched with funds from the Friends of Wistariahurst. Completion of the project is expected fall of 2023.
Wistariahurst is an historic estate built in Holyoke in 1874 and listed on the National Register for Historic Places, the Massachusetts Register of Historic Places, and is noted as a significant building with a public orientation in the Holyoke Community Preservation Plan (HCPP). The site consists of two buildings, referred to as the Main House and Carriage House, and historically-inspired grounds and gardens. The property is protected by a preservation restriction held by the Massachusetts Historic Commission (MHC). Wistariahurst’s public programs and offerings engage around 10,000 participants annually, with many more people enjoying the grounds and facilities on their own. Educational, community, and cultural offerings are presented for free or low cost in order to increase access and encourage participation regardless of income status. Wistariahurst maintains close connections with the Holyoke public school system, providing field trips, resources for teachers, space for professional development, and High School internships. The overall audience is a balanced blend of Holyoke residents and members of surrounding communities drawn to Holyoke for the Museum's high-quality offerings.
