Massachusetts museum launches $12.5M capital campaign

WORCESTER, Mass. – A Massachusetts museum with ties to the iconic Smiley Face has announced a $12.5 million capital campaign.

The Telegram & Gazette reports that the 143-year-old Worcester Historical Museum has already raised $8.5 million since it began fundraising four years ago.

A kickoff event at the museum on Thursday will launch its public campaign.

The museum’s collection includes items like a trunk owned by John Hancock and hundreds of pieces documenting the story of the Smiley Face, created by late Worcester commercial artist Harvey Ball.

It also holds 7,000 book titles and more than 500,000 images.

Museum officials say the money will go toward the museum’s endowment, capital projects and programming.

A 6,000 to 8,000 square foot museum expansion is planned using an adjacent property purchased last year.

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Information from: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.), http://www.telegram.com