Heritage Museums & Gardens proudly celebrated the grand opening of the net-zero Barbey Family Welcome Center with a well-attended ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, June 17. The event welcomed community members, museum supporters, and state, local officials to commemorate this exciting milestone in the museum’s history.
Attendees enjoyed remarks from museum leadership, project donors, and officials, followed by the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. Guests were invited to explore the new facility and experience Heritage Museums & Gardens after hours.
“The opening of the Barbey Family Welcome Center marks a new chapter for our museum,” said Anne Scott-Putney, President & CEO of Heritage Museums & Gardens. “We are grateful for the generous support from our donors and sponsors who helped bring this vision to life. This new space enhances our ability to provide an exceptional experience for all visitors.”
Peter Barbey, representing the Barbey Family, shared his enthusiasm for the project: “Our family is honored to be part of this transformative addition to Heritage Museums & Gardens. We hope that the Welcome Center serves as a place of inspiration and learning for generations to come.”
Mike Fish, President & CEO of Dellbrook|JKS, reflected on the collaboration: “Working on the Barbey Family Welcome Center has been a pleasure. As a builder with roots on the Cape, we are grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of creating something meaningful for this community.”
Kate Scurlock of GWWO Architects of West Harford, CT and Baltimore, MD, specialists in the design of visitor and interpretive centers, are the architects for the project. Scurlock emphasized the thoughtful design behind the project: “We designed the Barbey Family Welcome Center to seamlessly integrate with the landscape and heritage of the site while providing a warm, engaging entrance for all visitors. Seeing it come to life is truly rewarding.”
The Barbey Family Welcome Center has been designed to demonstrate net-zero design, improve accessibility, offer upgraded amenities, and create a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
The evening was a celebration of collaboration, generosity, and the future of Heritage Museums & Gardens.
Heritage Museums & Gardens has committed to achieving a carbon neutral future by 2040, and the Barbey Family Welcome Center models this commitment to environmental sustainability. The facility is fully solar powered, with excess power returned to the electric grid. High efficiency heat pumps and passive energy design features meet the most recent Massachusetts energy stretch code which is considered best in class. Additional sustainability features include permeable paving and bioswales to capture and filter water runoff, and electric powered transport carts for visitors with mobility issues.
Thank You to Our Grantors and Sponsors Heritage Museums & Gardens extends its deepest gratitude to the sponsors and grantors who made the Barbey Family Welcome Center possible. Your support is invaluable in preserving and enhancing this beloved institution for generations to come. Major support comes from:
The Edwin Barbey Charitable Trust Cape Cod Five Foundation Cape Cod Hydrangea Society The Chubb Family Beneficent Fund Coop Foundation K.A.H.R. Foundation MGraw Family Foundation Massachusetts Cultural Council, Cultural Facilities Fund Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism Tern Foundation TernSOLAR challenge grant program, designed to make renewable energy sources more accessible to Massachusetts nonprofit organizations.
For more information about Heritage Museums & Gardens and upcoming events, please visit heritagemuseums.org
About Heritage Museums & Gardens Heritage Museums & Gardens are set on one hundred stunning acres of gardens, woodland and lakeside trails and open spaces. It is the only place where you can browse through rare works of art, stroll through stunning gardens, see iconic antique automobiles, and ride a carousel all in one day. Explore Hidden Hollow, an interactive outdoor discovery area for kids of all ages, visit the Bountiful Bogs: The Massachusetts Cranberry Story exhibit, and find your own special spot on Cape Cod. For media inquiries, interviews, or additional details, please contact:
Judith Goetz Director of Marketing Heritage Museums & Gardens [email protected] 774-205-2730
