People Inc. receives funding for recently leased Mennonite Meeting House

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, and People Inc. President James Boles discuss renovations planned to convert the Mennonite Meeting House at Main Street and North Forest Road into the Museum of disABILITY History. Photo by John Rusac

In September the Amherst Town Board approved the leasing agreement with People Inc. to move the Museum of disABILITY to the Mennonite Meeting House on the corner of North Forest and Main Street in Amherst.

The Museum of disABILITY History is the first of its kind in the world. The museum tells the story of the lives, triumphs, and struggles of people with disabilities. People Inc. started collecting artifacts, memorabilia and transcripts related to the history of people with disabilities dating back to the mid-1800's.

The project has received the support of Assembly Member Jim Hayes, Senator Mary Lou Rath, and the B. Thomas Golisano Foundation who funded the Museum's online virtual museum Web site.

Recently Hayes awarded $40,000 for the expansion of the agency's Museum of disABILITY History.

"I am pleased to make this grant to People Inc. so that they can renovate and restore this historic structure in our community," Hayes said. "The history of people with disabilities and the obstacles they have overcome and continue to overcome, should not be forgotten. I am pleased that this funding will allow People Inc's Museum of disABILITY History to locate in the former Mennonite Meeting House in a building that has been under-utilized for too long."

People Inc.'s President James Boles said the funding would help the museum re-locate and expand.

For the past two years, People Inc. has been working closely with the Town of Amherst to buy or lease the building which is owned by the town.

The meeting house, circa 1834, is used by the town to store town files. People Inc. is working with the town on the relocation of the files and on the details of the renovation.

"With the support of Assembly Member Hayes and members of the Town Board, our dream is finally becoming a reality. We look forward to the grand opening of the Museum of disABILITY History in the spring of 2007 and recognizing all that have been instrumental with this exciting project," said Boles.

Involved in the leasing process People Inc. CEO Rhonda Frederick was pleased when the Town Board voted to approve the lease.

"This is a win-win for the residents of Amherst. People Inc. will be paying a fair market rent to the town and we will also be paying for the renovation that the building desperately needs," she said.

The new location is expected to draw more visitors.

"By having our museum in a more visible setting, it will allow our organization to educate people of all ages on the importance of disability history and begin to see people with disabilities as productive members of the community," Boles said.

The records currently in the meeting house will be moved to St. Mary's garage site in Amherst State Park on Mill Street, with People Inc. being responsible for the repairs of the location. After that initial step, People Inc. will begin to develop the internal and external repairs to the Mennonite Meeting House.