PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

I am happy to report that 2024 was a good year at both Fenimore Farm and its sister institution, Fenimore Art Museum, with solid attendance and a full slate of well-received adult and school programs, exhibitions, and events. At the Farm, we opened our new exhibition, The Buzz About Pollinators, and welcomed thousands of guests to enjoy the Carousel, Historic Village, and Farmstead. Themed weekends and engaging workshops offered a bit of something for everyone, and school group attendance continued to climb.

In 2024, we were proud to announce an exciting new chapter for the Farm. After more than 80 years, The Farmers’ Museum adopted a new name and visual identity, Fenimore Farm & Country Village, effective November 1^st. This change honors the property’s historic origins while more accurately reflecting who we are today: a center for education, a steward of rural heritage, and a gathering place for our community.

Fenimore Farm communicates the dynamism of our site, combining a historic village, a working farm, special events, and engaging programs within a beautiful rural landscape. The name also aligns seamlessly with Fenimore Art Museum, which was part of the original property. We believe returning to the property’s original name better serves our visitors as it clearly defines the museum’s focus. While our name changed, our mission has remained the same. Beloved traditions such as Harvest Festival and Sugaring Off will continue to delight visitors from near and far as we move forward under this renewed identity.

One update of importance is the Education and Regional History Center. We have made great progress on the Library project over the past year. Library and Facilities staff have made great strides in culling the collection of little- or never-used bound volumes to create space on the first floor for the new Education and Regional History Center. Our fundraising efforts have remained steady and have progressed successfully. The Library is projected to open by the end of 2025.

Fenimore Farm had a wonderful second year of Glimmer Nights, which attracted over 8,000 visitors between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Taking into account our audience’s preferences and expectations, this year we expanded the light show with new features in the Main Barn Courtyard, the Bump Tavern Garden, and other locations. Bump Tavern remained open with delicious wassail and a warm fire, and weekly activities such as caroling. The Empire State Carousel was open for free rides during the event, and Todd’s General Store welcomed guests for holiday shopping.

As always, the staff has done a remarkable job in a wide variety of areas to make the museums what they are.

 

PAUL S. D’AMBROSIO, Ph.D.

President and CEO
Fenimore Farm & Country Village

---

MISSION STATEMENT

Cultivating an understanding of the rural heritage that has shaped our land, communities and American culture.

---

OFFICERS, DIRECTORS & SENIOR STAFF