PRESS RELEASE – 6/17/2022
Bridgton, ME - The Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity welcomed trustees, volunteers, and community members last Friday to celebrate the beginning of its eighteenth operating season, and to publicly announce its Raise the Rufus! Capital Campaign. The Raise the Rufus! Campaign will fund the construction of a post-and-beam barn structure on the Museum's campus, which will house and display the Museum's collection of over 30 nineteenth-century landscape murals. They will have a home while transforming the Museum into a unique opportunity where visitors can experience the full effects of 360-degree 19th century landscape murals. The new building will also provide much-needed areas for programs and community involvement. The Museum's current campus does not offer space for large gatherings and will allow the Museum to provide more programs, classes, children's activities, and events while also creating a space that the community can use for meetings and events.
Thanks to the generosity of local supporters, the Campaign has already raised over $1 million dollars, more than half of the $1.9 million dollar goal. It was also announced at the public kick-off event that an anonymous donor is offering a $100,000 matching donation.
"Announcing the public kick-off of our Raise the Rufus! Capital Campaign has required a lot of hard work and perseverance." said Executive Director, Karla Leandri Rider. "We would not be where we are today without the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our Capital Campaign Committee in raising the funds, and the creativity and knowledge of our Building Design Committee. We are very excited to be working on such an important project that will benefit the entire community."
Interested in donating? Visit the Museum website to learn more and to find our pledge form.
The Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity is open Wednesday - Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM through October 8th.
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