By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Jan. 21, 2021) The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum at 208 N. Main St. in Berlin encourages residents to become members of the museum to help preserve local history.

Melissa Reid

“We’re just really hoping that people will join, that we have done a really good job this past year of presenting what we’re doing and how we continued to grow and we’ve continued to update things during this pandemic and that all of that presented information to the community will really translate into members,” Melissa Reid, president of the museum said. “We need members.”

With a yearly fee of $20 per person or $30 per family, members will have access to a quarterly electronic newsletter, guest speakers, archive tours, free admission to the museum and multiple free events. Currently, the museum has 130 members.

“In June, we are partnering with the arts and entertainment district committee to put on kind of a mini Berlin film festival,” Reid said.

The film festival will be focused on “Tuck Everlasting” and “Runaway Bride,” which were filmed in town.

In September, the museum staff is working with The Greyhound Independent Bookstore and Fine Art Gallery for a literary event.

If any individuals want to attend the events who are not existing members, they will have to pay for memberships.

Memberships are valid from a year from the registration date.

This year, the museum added a $100 business membership in addition to its corporate sponsorships.

Lifetime memberships are also available for $400 per individual or $600 per family.

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum at 208 N. Main St. in Berlin seeks to increase its membership. Yearly memberships cost $20 per person or $30 per family. Lifetime memberships are also available for $400 per individual or $600 per family.

Membership fees can be paid for with a credit card by calling the museum at 410-641-1019. Cash or checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 351 Berlin, Maryland 21811.

“If you become a member, you can know that your money is going towards certainly helping update new exhibits,” Reid said.

Funds also contribute to the general maintenance and operation of the museum and events. The membership drive allows the museum to continue telling the stories of Berlin, especially more inclusive stories.

“We’re really getting a big push to collect a lot of oral histories in Berlin, and we’re working to incorporate some of those oral histories into exhibits,” Reid said.

She said the money helps the museum staff buy recording equipment and update cassette tapes to preserve them.

“Becoming a member of the museum seems a small thing, but membership is a big important part of the income stream,” Reid added. “I think we’ve all come to realize the importance of supporting local communities, community nonprofits, really.”

Reid said “a membership is an easy way to become involved in your community.”

Donations to the museum are also accepted.

For more information, visit https://taylorhousemuseum.org.