Director's Message

Spring 2002

From the Director, Kent dur Russell

Yet another year of success for the Higgins! We ended 2001 (for the sixth consecutive year) in the black. Our Annual Report will show an increase in general and program attendance, solid growth in all categories of membership and superb financial performance from the Museum Store. Despite the economic downturn and the anticipated effects of the horrific events of September 11th the Higgins is growing.

A sincere thank-you to each and every Annual Appeal contributor. The Appeal met its goal. At the same time we were raising money to cover our strategic planning costs; this goal was also met. A special thank-you to the Fidelity Foundation, which provided major support!

The Winter Ball, "From Russia With Love", marked the end of the enormously successful Shields of Faith exhibit on January 26. More than 200 people danced to the Eastman Swing Orchestra; took a dance lesson from the Fred Astaire Studios team; had their fortunes told by "Madame Natasha"; and competed for raffle prizes like James Bond DVDs and Russian delicacies. The ball raised 30% more than last year, money which will support the Museum's youth programs.

The Ninth Annual Higgins Faire will be held on Saturday, May 4. The Faire is one of my favorite events of the whole year, bringing together volunteers, entertainers, Higgins staff, and more than 2,000 people from all around New England. It is a chance to show off the Museum to an audience who may be unfamiliar with the Higgins ... and it shines! We are preparing to wade in compliments again, because the Faire will once again showcase top performers. Higgins Faire is an event that should not be missed!

With National Volunteer Week April 21 to 27, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many Higgins Armory volunteers who give so generously of their time. You are all wonderful, and we appreciate all you do!:

Ann Marie Argitis, Assumption Schola Gregoriana, Victoria Augustine, Wesley Blackstone, Burncoat Players, Pamela Cain, Alan Catalano, Irene Cohen, Michael Donnelly, Peter Donnelly, Dorothy Edgington, Dorothy Ericson, Andrew Feland, Ginger Feland, Francis Fine, Betty Foley, Adam Freilich, Norma Gould, Michael Grenon, Barbara Healey, Lynn Higgins, Jessica Howe, David Ianelli, Katie Jameson, Robert Jameson, Mark Jimenez, Caroline June, Liz Jung, Patricia Kelley, Paul Kenworthy, Laurie Knight, Pam Kukla, Andrew Lampson, Roger Lanciault, Janet Lankton, Truong Lee, Jeff Lord, Caylie Marden, Holly Martz, Lisa McDonough, Susan McKeown, Christopher Meeks, Mark Millman, Vivian Murphy, Chris Nelson, TJ Neville, Lauren O'Malley, Sydney Perry, Cindy Pitcher, Patri Pugliese, Virginia Pulitzer, Jennifer Reed, Robert Reed, Rhode Island Touring Ensemble, Barbara Sanborn, Marie Shamgogian, Kay Sheldon, Bruce Sherwood, Bill Short, Society for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (WPI), Chris Terp, Norman Thibeault, Andrew Truman, United Way Volunteers, Kreimhild van der Paarden, Laura Wachs, Devin Williams, The Company of the Wolfe Argent, Karyn Wozniak