Dear Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I present this plan, outlining our vision for the future of Historic Deerfield. I am thrilled to share our commitment to fostering deeper connections with the stories, landscapes, and people that have shaped New England.

For over 70 years, Historic Deerfield has served as a cornerstone of American history and preservation, welcoming visitors to explore the lives and material creations of those who came before. This plan reaffirms our dedication to that mission and focuses our efforts on guaranteeing that our programmatic offerings—and the overall visitor experience—are relevant, thought-provoking, and engaging for longtime supporters and new audiences alike. At a time when the world needs the arts and humanities more than ever, Historic Deerfield is recommitting itself to unlocking the power of historically informed knowledge and beauty—across all generations of learners.

Given the plan’s focus on collaboration, it is fitting that the process to create it was also highly collaborative, informed by the invaluable contributions of our staff, Board of Trustees, and dedicated community members. We are confident that by working together, we can ensure that Historic Deerfield continues to be a vibrant center of discovery, inspiration, and preservation for generations to come.

Whether you are a visitor who enjoys a meal at Champneys’ and a stroll on Old Main Street, a parent or caregiver who shares our view that the past holds important (and fun!) lessons for future generations, a history and material culture enthusiast who seeks to deepen your understanding of the peoples, places, and objects of our region’s past, an artist or craftsperson who draws inspiration from American material culture to inform your work, or someone who seeks the solace that can be found amid historic houses and rural landscapes, we welcome you and look forward to seeing you soon on The Street!

Sincerely,

John Davis
President