Membership Update, January 2026

Catching Up—So History Can Keep Moving Forward

For two decades, Rocktown History has held membership rates steady.

That wasn’t accidental. It was a deliberate choice—one rooted in our belief that history should be accessible, welcoming, and rooted in community. Thanks to our members, we’ve been able to grow carefully and responsibly while keeping the door open to everyone who wants to learn, explore, and belong.

But time doesn’t stand still.

Since our membership rates were last updated—back in 2006!—the work of caring for history has changed dramatically. We now steward more collections, maintain older facilities, and serve new audiences. Behind every exhibition, program, and research request is careful preservation work, climate-controlled storage, digital infrastructure, and knowledgeable staff committed to sharing history well.

During that time, Rocktown History has:

  • Offered an unprecedented amount of free and low-cost programming
  • Refreshed galleries and replaced roofs
  • Grown our genealogy and research resources
  • Welcomed classrooms, families, and lifelong learners
  • Published historical research and produced original media
  • Introduced Pay-As-You-Can admission and partnered with Museums for All

All while membership rates remained unchanged.

In 2026, we are making a modest update to our membership structure and rates—not as a dramatic shift, but as a necessary act of stewardship. In simple terms, this change allows us to catch up with today’s costs while continuing to keep history accessible to the entire community.

Importantly, our values are not changing.

Membership at Rocktown History is not about perks or passes. It’s about sustaining a place where local stories are preserved, shared, and connected to the broader American story—especially as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Every member continues to receive the Quarterly Newsletter and helps make Pay-As-You-Can admission possible. Higher levels of support allow us to care for collections, develop new exhibitions, and plan responsibly for the future.

We are deeply grateful for the trust our members place in us—and for the many ways you make this work possible.

Catching up today ensures Rocktown History can keep moving forward—for the next generation of curious minds.