Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center Receives $2,000 from IBM Community Grants Program in Recognition of Four Volunteers
Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center (“KTM&HC”) recently received a generous grant of $2,000 from the IBM Community Grants Program to support KTM&HC’s full-day, immersive school programs. The IBM Community Grant has been awarded in recognition of the extraordinary volunteer services of IBM former employees Beth Hancock, Charles Pankenier, Patricia Linnon, and John Somma over the past year at KTM&HC. The funds received will support Title 1 students’ participation in KTM&HC’s full-day, immersive, curriculum-aligned programs developed in partnership with teachers for students in Pre-K through 12th grade.
“Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center offers a living-classroom experience for nearly 2,500 students throughout Fairfield County, including Title 1 schools in Danbury and Bridgeport,” said Hildegard Grob, executive director of KTM&HC. “This generous grant will help provide free admission and busing for students in Title 1 schools to help ensure an education rich in history and civics so they become well-informed, civic-minded, and eager to engage in our democratic traditions.”
The IBM Community Grants Program recognizes and encourages the involvement of IBM employees and retirees who generously volunteer their time and expertise in their local communities. Through the program, IBM makes cash grants to eligible projects of not-for-profit organizations and schools, provided an employee or retiree is actively involved on a continuing basis.
“Ms. Hancock, Mr. Pankenier, Ms. Linnon, and Mr. Somma have logged hundreds of hours working tirelessly to further the mission of Keeler Tavern Museum & History Center as a regional history center with a vigorous school program,” said Rhonda Hill, president of the board of directors at KTM&HC. “We could not operate our school programs as successfully as we do without them, and we thank the IBM Community Grants Program for recognizing their service in such a meaningful way.”
KTM&HC tells 300 years of the town’s—and nation’s—history through the lives of its past residents. Tours of the 1713 Keeler Tavern Museum and all Points of Interest on the 4-acre campus are offered Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. KTM&HC receives no local, state, or federal government operating support. Additional information about the site, including rental of the Cass Gilbert-designed Garden House and Rose Garden for social occasions and meetings, can be found at keelertavernmuseum.org or Facebook.com/KeelerTavernMuseum. Follow KTM&HC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.