Page 6 - FEB2026

Page 6 NEWFOUNDLAKELIFE.COM February 2026 Community
The Future of the Museum of the White Mountains
Dear Friend of the Museum of the White Mountains,
We are writing to share an im- portant update about the future of the Museum of the White Mountains (MWM) at Plymouth State University—and to reaf- firm our deep commitment to the collections, scholarship, and public engagement that have defined the Museum since its founding.
Due to ongoing State of New Hampshire budget reductions impacting higher education, Plymouth State University must close the Museum’s current standalone building. This deci- sion was not made lightly. While the physical museum space is changing, we want to be clear about what is not changing: the collections, and the University’s stewardship of the Museum of the White Mountains- these will remain intact.
Stewardship of the Collection
Plymouth State University will retain the entire MWM col-
lection. Works currently housed in the Museum will be carefully relocated to the Spinelli Archives in Lamson Library, joining the remainder of the collection al- ready preserved there. This move ensures long-term care, security, and professional archiving of the collection, while maintaining ac- cess for teaching, research, and exhibition planning.
Campus-Wide Museum Presence
MWM has always been a campus-wide resource, and moving forward, the Museum’s presence will be woven into the academic and public life of the University in a way that fits our budget.
Rotating and permanent ex- hibitions drawn from the MWM collection could be displayed in Lamson Library, Hyde Hall, Silver Center, and throughout campus, expanding visibility and engagement.
The current exhibition, Rooted: A Story of Trees, re- mains on view in the Silver Cen-
ter lobby. Additional dedicated campus art exhibition spaces are being established in Lamson Li- brary and the Silver Center.
Together, these spaces—along with additional installations across campus—will form the opportunities for physical ex- pression of the Museum of the White Mountains and provide expanded reach and visibility for both our campus community and the community at large.
Governance and Operations
The Museum of the White Mountains will be overseen by the University’s Office of Aca- demic Affairs, in collaboration with Lamson Library and the Silver Center staff. Day-to-day operations and exhibitions will be supported by library staff, art faculty, student workers, and
trained volunteers working to- gether across departments.
We are fortunate to have fac- ulty and staff with experience supporting this work, ensuring that MWM continues to meet high professional and educa- tional standards.
Artwork in the Current Building
A detailed plan is being devel- oped to carefully and responsibly move all artwork and artifacts currently in the Museum build- ing. Every effort will be made to ensure the safety and proper handling of these works through- out the transition.
Looking Ahead
While this moment marks the end of one chapter, it also opens new possibilities. Integrating the Museum of the White Moun- tains into the new academic
structure of the University allows us to expand its reach, increase student engagement, and bring the collection to wider campus and community audiences in a way that fits our fiscal reality.
There is work to be done to revisit the mission of the MWM. Without funding for a full-time director and assistant director, a new vision that carries forward elements of the original mission and charts a sustainable way forward will be forged. You can anticipate hearing more about this from the faculty leading this effort in the weeks and months to come.
We remain profoundly grate- ful for your support, advocacy, and belief in the Museum of the White Mountains. Your generos- ity has built an extraordinary col- lection and legacy, and we look forward to sharing what comes next.
With appreciation and gratitude,
Dr. Don Birx, President Dr. Nate Bowditch, Provost
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