The Museum’s Evolving Mission
by Mike McNamara
As a small, single-room organization grows into a multifloor museum dedicated to the social and natural history of Fishers Island, a shift in identity and purpose is natural. This shift becomes even more significant when considering the Museum is also Fishers Island’s largest natural land conservator, stewarding nearly 400 acres of wetlands, grasslands, beaches, and woodlands. To ensure that the Henry L. Ferguson Museum is performing to a level that meets its expanded mission and reach, the Board of Trustees has undertaken a process to evaluate our direction and impact.
This reassessment began in spring 2024 by fielding an online community survey. It was promoted via the Foghorn, on bulletin boards around the Island—including the FICC, Post Office, Village Market, and Ferry—as well as in the Museum’s weekly e-newsletter and on social media. In two weeks, we received over 340 responses from a diverse cross-section of Fishers Islanders.
Our goal was to capture a snapshot of the community: who they are, what matters to them, how they perceive the Museum, and what we can improve. A summary of key findings appears on the opposite page. The response to the Museum’s performance was overwhelmingly positive, with many respondents expressing pride in the Museum’s contributions and its role on the Island. The Museum is more than ‘just a museum.’ It is deeply personal: a keeper of family histories and traditions, serving as the Island’s institutional memory. It’s also widely recognized for its education on local natural history. Many mentioned the network of Land Trust trails and the Osprey Cam.
Others expressed interest in expanded off-season programming, more opportunities for children and teens, and more partnerships with other Island organizations.
When asked about the importance of protecting undeveloped areas—to conserve ecosystems, preserve viewsheds, and safeguard local flora and fauna—95% of respondents said it was either ‘Very Important’ or ‘Important.’ Forty-three percent reported walking the trails six or more times a year, while nearly half of year-round residents use them 10 or more times annually.
However, 40% of respondents were unaware that the Museum—through its Land Trust—has long managed and maintained the Land Trust properties and trails. This reveals a significant awareness gap. As our conservation work evolves from passive protection to active land management, we must ask: have we done enough to communicate our efforts to the community? This question became central as the Board entered a yearlong Strategic Planning process, launched in summer 2024, that included updating the Museum’s mission.
Terry McNamara standing with Land Trust ‘Trail Dogs,’ the Museum’s advance force for environmental conservation projects.
The Museum has its roots in Natural History and conservation. In fact, 60 years ago this August, the Board of Trustees adopted a ‘new progressive course’ to acquire undeveloped land for use as nature preserves. Under the direction of President Elizabeth McCance, the Museum’s conservation efforts continue to grow in scope and complexity, backed by increased budgets and the hiring of dedicated staff.
The revision of the Museum’s Mission statement—and the addition of a Vision statement and guiding Values—are a recognition that our conservation work holds equal importance to our historical preservation. These dual responsibilities define who we are and the work we do for the community.
This is not a traditional museum model—and we are not a traditional museum. Our work extends far beyond the walls of our building on Equestrian Avenue. From trails and marshes to archives and exhibits, the Museum is a reflection of Fishers Island itself: living, layered, and constantly evolving. With this updated mission, we are doubling down on our commitment to both people and place—preserving the stories, species, and natural spaces that make Fishers Island unique. As we move forward, that dual focus will guide everything we do. We look forward to working with our members, neighbors, and partners to bring this mission to life—through programming, collaborations, conservation, and engaging directly with the community. In doing so, we hope that future generations inherit both a deep connection to Fishers Island and a thriving, biodiverse environment that sustains it.
