WILMINGTON- Across the nation, nonprofit organizations that depend on donations are struggling to stay afloat, thanks to a marked decrease in charitable giving attributed to the global economic downturn. For small local organizations like the Wilmington Historical Society, which draws its fundraising dollars from a relatively small pool of Wilmington residents, former residents, and visitors, the decrease in contributions could spell disaster.

Wilmington Historical Society President Julie Moore says the organization’s annual income has fallen by more than $2,500 in cash donations alone. Unlike many local historical societies that depend on public funding for all or part of their fundraising, the Wilmington Historical Society receives no regular taxpayer funding for their annual budget. All of their funding comes from donations and the historical society’s fundraising efforts.

Thanks to the drop in funding over the last year, the society’s building fund has dwindled significantly, despite dozens of fundraising activities carried out by society members throughout the year and the generosity of donors. Sue and Al Wurzberger, owners of the Norton House and 1836 Country Store, have sponsored a number of matching grants to encourage increased membership. Historical society members have raised money through bake sales, selling items at the antique & flea market, historical research services, and walking tours of the village historic district.

The walking tours have been particularly successful in generating interest in the society. “The number of people taking the tours increased significantly this summer,” Moore says. “A lot of people who volunteered to be tour guides have since become members.”

While all their hard work brought in enough to make the next quarterly mortgage payment on the Barber House, the society’s headquarters and museum, the society is facing the possibility that they won’t be able to make the following payment. “I think a lot of people don’t even realize we have a mortgage,” Moore says. “People think we own it, or the town owns it.”

Historical society members are appealing to the public for help. But Moore says the membership isn’t looking for handouts. “We’re looking for ideas for fundraisers, grants, volunteers, new members, and donations,” she says. “We want ideas and support. We’d also like to hear from people about what they’d be interested in for future presentations and events.”

Over the last year, the society has changed how they approach their membership meetings in hopes of stimulating more interest in the society and the town’s history. Their monthly meetings used to be dedicated to historical society business. Now the society hosts public presentations on topics of local history and general interest. One presentation, by “The Coming of the Train” author Brian Donelson, attracted more than 100 participants.

The society has also worked to get Wilmington and Twin Valley High School students involved in local history. Fourth-grade students at Deerfield Valley Elementary School visit the Barber House Museum as part of their study of Vermont history. The TVHS senior class yearbook staff visits the museum to peruse the collection of Wilmington High School yearbooks. Last spring, Twin Valley Middle School students visited the historical society to learn about how the land in Wilmington has changed since it was settled. “We have a lot to offer the community, but I think a lot of people don’t even realize we’re here,” Moore says.

The Historical Society purchased the Barber House from Muriel (Barber) Manning in 2005, with help from an anonymous benefactor who arranged a private loan on preferential terms. Since then, the society has concentrated their efforts on renovating and restoring the house. They’ve refurbished the entire downstairs, including the building’s charming 19th and early 20th century kitchen, and have finished two rooms upstairs, including a research room. The society has also repaired roofing, replaced the heating system, and painted the exterior of the building.

Although much of the work has been accomplished with volunteer labor, the supplies and materials have taken a chunk out of the society’s building fund. With 15 more quarterly mortgage payments left before they’ll own the property outright, the historical society is looking at economists’ predictions of a slow recovery with trepidation.

Anyone who would like to volunteer, become a member, make a suggestion, or give a donation to the Wilmington Historical Society should call Moore at (802) 464-3004 or leave a message at (802) 464-5765.