[MassHistPres] insurance options for historical society

[John Garvey]

The historical society in the town of Chester owns an 1847 former Methodist Church now converted to a town history museum. It is leased to the town and covered under the town’s insurance policy. The language of the lease says that it is cancellable by either party and while the lease is active the town can hold a function in the museum by giving the historical society a certain advance warning. It has been in place for about 7 years and they have never held a function there, and likely never will as they have an under-utilized auditorium in the town hall.

If there were any questions from the insurance company at the time I didn’t hear of them. I’m also not sure whether there was a change to the town’s insurance premiums as a result but if there was the historical society was not asked to pay for the increase.

> On Nov 14, 2025, at 2:18 PM, Jenny O'Neill via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> wrote:
> 
> I am looking for guidance/suggestions for liability/property insurance for our organization, a small historical society with two historic buildings and a collection of archives/objects. 
> 
> Our insurance policy was abruptly cancelled a few weeks ago, the reason given was that the "buildings are more than 200 years old." We have struggled to find a replacement and the only option offered is considerably more expensive (approx. double the original policy).
> 
> Perhaps this is happening to other organizations or perhaps there are other options?
> 
> I would greatly appreciate any suggestions. I am aware of the National Trust Insurance Services.
> 
> With many thanks,
> 
> Jenny O'Neill, Executive Director
> Westport Historical Society
> PO Box N188, 25 Drift Road, Westport MA 02790
> westporthistory at westporthistory.net <mailto:westporthistory at westporthistory.net>
> 508 636 6011
> www.wpthistory.org <http://www.wpthistory.org/>
> www.PaulCuffe.org <http://www.paulcuffe.org/>
> 
> 
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