To the editor,

Few communities treasure their history in the way that Bristol does. Beyond having the oldest Fourth of July celebration in the country, we host six museums, a historical society and several other organizations which help to preserve and honor our diverse and sometimes controversial past.

At Coggeshall Farm Museum, we're keenly aware that we exist only because the community has decided to support our nonprofit living history museum. We depend on the generosity of individuals, businesses, foundations and granting organizations that have kept us afloat since 1973. We also could not survive without support from the town of Bristol and the state of Rhode Island, each of which will provide Coggeshall grants of $2,500 this year.

Last weekend we hosted 1,000 people at our Fiber Festival and Craft Fair. That wouldn't have been possible without support from local companies like Coleman Realtors, Bristol Marine, Gil's Appliances and John Andrade Insurance.

Earlier in the year, we launched a campaign to raise $50,000 so we could secure a $50,000 matching gift from philanthropist Gerry Lenfest. We are only $4,500 away from that goal, thanks to more than 100 gifts of every size. It's a steep hill to climb, but as farmers, we have learned patience and perseverance.

Sometimes we feel like the "little engine that could," serving thousands of school children and visitors from across the country on a budget that is smaller than many household budgets. But if you have ever been to Coggeshall, you'll understand why. There's a magic about this place that draws you in.

We see history not as a collection of dates and names, but as a place where real people experienced joys, sorrows and the challenges of daily life. We are the living monument to Rhode Island's hard-working tenant farmers, so often voiceless in the history books, who fed this country as it grew.

Thank you for helping us to keep their story alive.

Cindy Elder

Executive Director

Coggeshall Farm Museum