Frequently Asked Questions

Individual – $25/annum

Family – $35/annum

Senior – $10/annum per person (it is understood that the ‘per person’ status has not been clear in the past)

* The CHS Board will be reviewing the membership fees this year as they have not kept pace with expenditures, for example, the income from Memberships does not cover the cost of newsletter production, and this has to addressed.

12 months, commencing 1st January.

In the past, the CHS has operated with a ‘rolling membership’, with members joining on an ad-hoc basis through the year, but this has been difficult to track, hence the change to the fiscal year.

-Current Newsletter

-Vote at Annual General Meeting

-Annual Membership Event

The CHS Board are also looking into ‘added value’ concepts to a CHS Membership, especially if as mentioned above, a review of the fee structure leads to an increment. Under consideration are benefits such as:

-Discounted event fees

-Discounts on CHS shop items

-Creating a ‘Members Area’ of this website, which will require a password, and where genealogical research, advice and support will be available.

-Past newsletters will also only be available in the Members Area, for download as pdf files. As these are the original pdf files, images and photographs etc, are in color.

-Reciprocal memberships with fellow participating societies and organizations.

Join now, and beat the possible increase in membership fees, and gain all the benefits!

The CHS was incorporated December 7, 1966.

By reference to the CHS Constitution, Article II:

Object

The object of the organization shall be the gathering and recording of the history of Charlestown and of individuals and families associated with the town; to collect and preserve historical artifacts and relics; and to found and maintain a museum where such collection shall be maintained and exhibited.

Additionally, the following paragraph from the ‘Articles of Organization’, provides guidance as to purpose:

Articles of Organization

The purposes for which the corporation is formed are as follows:

To foster and promote interest in the historical heritage of Charlestown; to disseminate information to the public concerning historical sites, landmarks, artifacts, and events relative to said historical heritage; to receive funds, donations, gifts and grants and to expend the same for the purpose of conservation, restoration, or disposition of landmarks, sites, artifacts, and events relative to said heritage; to analyze, study and make determinations relative to the conservation of said heritage and to set up or establish investigations, studies or research for the furtherance and clarification and discovery of matters pertinent to the historical heritage of Charlestown; to purchase or otherwise acquire interest in property, either real, personal, or intangible, for the restoration or preservation of said heritage; to sell or mortgage said property for the benefit of the promotion of said heritage on such terms as shell be deemed best by the Directors of this Corporation.

The Charlestown Preservation Society was formed in 1966 as a sub-committee of the CHS, to specifically address the plans being developed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority for the extension of their Urban Renewal concepts into Charlestown. These plans involved the demolition of over 50% of Charlestown’s dwellings. The CPS successfully engaged the BRA to restore many of the town’s historic buildings. Today, the CPS mission extends beyond preservation to enhancing the lives of all Charlestown residents.

There are currently between 150-160 members. A membership drive will be in place this year, with the intent of doubling the membership.

When the CHS was formed in 1966, the fee structure included a Life category, which was discontinued after the sign-up of the initial membership.

In 2005, an extensive restoration took place of the Bunker Hill Monument and surrounding park, which included the rehabilitation of Charlestown’s original library building (which housed the CHS) into the Bunker Hill Museum and included the provision of new office space for the CHS. A formal agreement provides for cooperation between the NPS and the CHS for events, presentations and similar activities to enhance the publics awareness of the Town’s historic involvement in the birth of the Nation.

An excellent question!

The CHS is constantly seeking active members, volunteers and interns who wish to participate in committees to develop events, presentations and exhibits.

There is a need for catalogers, researchers and basic office administration support.

There is also a current need for a webmaster.

View volunteer information here.