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How can I help?

A museum is more than a collection of stuff set out for display. Here are a few of the things that go into keeping the Little Red Shop Museum operational:
  • Cataloging and researching artifacts
  • Coordinating events
  • Fundraising
  • Maintaining the building
  • Staffing events
  • Writing content for the website
  • Writing grants

Our staff is comprised of volunteers who donate their time towards furthering the Museum’s mission. We welcome new volunteers! Please fill out the contact form to inquire about volunteering.

How you can help:

Here are four easy ways:
  1. Contribute Your Skills
    Everyone who staffs the Little Red Shop Museum is a volunteer. Some are more visible than others. It doesn’t matter how old you are, how much or how little time you have, or whether you know anything about history. We can find a need to match your availability and skills.  Are you a people person? You might enjoy welcoming visitors when the museum is open.  Are you more reserved and bookish? The museum has a backlog of documents and artifacts to be cataloged, photographed, and researched.

    Handy? There is always something that needs fixing!
  1. Contribute Your Money
    Despite the best efforts of our volunteers, the Little Red Shop Museum does have expenses. Utility costs, software, office supplies, and a 170-year-old building can be very demanding. Your donation goes directly toward funding the mission of the Little Red Shop Museum – preserving our history together. If you believe in that mission but aren’t inclined to volunteer, a donation is a most-welcome way to show your support.

  2. Contribute Your Items
    The Little Red Shop Museum tells the story of Hopedale through the artifacts left behind by those who came before. Do you have a piece of Hopedale history gathering dust in your attic, basement, or filing cabinet? Whether you want to donate an item(s) to the museum or just loan something to be displayed, we’ll take care of all the necessary paperwork and make sure your historical artifacts are well-treated.

  3. Contribute Your Stories
    The story of Hopedale is made up of the stories of her citizens, past and present. The artifacts in our collection tell part of that story, but sometimes the stories and the artifacts become separated. More so than any artifact, our long-time residents are our greatest treasures. Do you have stories of Hopedale’s past? Stop by the museum, pull up a chair, and share!

Support for the Little Red Shop/Donations:

The Little Red Shop Museum comes under the auspices of the Hopedale Historical Commission and is supported by the Friends of Historic Hopedale, donations, grants and the National Park Service.

In September 2019, the Select Board approved the formation of a dedicated donation ledger account for the Little Red Shop Museum. Checks for monetary donations can be made payable to the Town of Hopedale. Mail checks to the Town of Hopedale, P.O. Box 7, Hopedale, MA 01747. Please put “Little Red Shop Museum” in the memo line to ensure the donation is deposited in the correct account.