The Nicholas Juried Family Foundation has awarded a $30,000 grant to the Iroquois Museum in Howes Cave to help it through the impact of COVID-19.
Mr. Juried grew up on his family’s Gilboa farm and has been a major contributor to the Gilboa Museum as well as to the Jefferson Historical Society.
This is the Nicholas Juried Family Foundation’s second grant to the Iroquois Museum and it will allow the museum to continue to employ its staff, all of whom are part-time.
Due to COVID-19 and the opening requirements, the Board of Trustees decided to keep the museum closed to the public until April 2021—a safety measure that has dropped its income by 40 percent.
“By maintaining our staff, we have been able to create online educational events and virtual tours that can be used by teachers when classes resume,” said Director Stephanie Shultes.
Although the museum is closed, it is featuring an exhibit on stereotypes in its outdoor amphitheater and its Nature Park trails remain open.
The museum was also awarded a SEEC Resiliency grant.
Mr. Juried moved to Texas after graduating from Gilboa and with his wife, Dorothy, established a career in promotional products.
In 2003, he established the Nicholas Juried Family Foundation to support historical, educational, animal welfare, women’s reproductive, and civil rights organizations.
He is also a major donor to the Zadock Pratt Museum, which was devastated in the 2011 flood.
Mr. Juried’s first grant to the Iroquois Museum was the first to support its educational programs.
He remains deeply connected to the area and received an Otsego/Schoharie Historic Preservation Award in 2016 for his efforts.