Bristol County Savings Bank Commits $50,000 Grant To Old Colony History Museum In Taunton, Massachusetts

TAUNTON, MA, July 21, 2026 — Bristol County Savings Bank, through its Foundation, recently committed a $50,000 grant to be awarded in two annual installments to Old Colony History Museum (OCHM) in Taunton, Massachusetts. The donation will support the organization’s Landscape Revitalization Project, designed to improve its property at 66 Church Green where OCHM has called its home for 100 years. The initiative will include increased and enhanced parking, stronger site security and revitalized grounds with historic and native plantings. Since the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation was formed in 1996, more than $38 million has been committed to hundreds of non-profits in the communities the Bank serves. In 2025 alone, the Foundation awarded $2.9 million to various 501(c)(3) organizations.

OCHM’s Landscape Revitalization project is not only designed to enhance the capacity of the local history community but also create an urban greenspace oasis and outdoor learning classroom that invites the community to gather, reflect and engage with history in new ways. Enhancing the museum’s grounds will improve its visibility, accessibility and appeal as a destination, contributing to increased visitations and foot traffic. As the museum continues to grow its programming and audience, this investment will support broader efforts to strengthen downtown Taunton as a vibrant, welcoming place to live, work and visit.

“We are deeply grateful to the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation for recognizing the importance of the Old Colony History Museum and investing in its future,” said Katie MacDonald, Executive Director of OCHM. “This generous support brings us closer to realizing our vision for a revitalized museum, indoors and out—one that welcomes visitors, expands opportunities for outdoor learning and community gatherings, and ensures that this historic place continues to serve our community for the next 100 years and beyond.”

“We are proud to do our part to help support this transformational initiative to invest in the long-term future of one of Taunton’s most significant historic and cultural institutions, while ensuring the site is more accessible, welcoming and resilient for the next century of public use,” said John Silva, President and CEO of Bristol County Savings Bank and President of the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation.

The Old Colony History Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Taunton and the broader Old Colony region. Located in the heart of Taunton, the museum serves as a cultural and educational resource for residents, students, researchers and visitors. The mission of OCHM is to collect, preserve and exhibit the history of southeastern Massachusetts. Through a vigorous program of outreach and education, the museum aspires to interpret the area’s history in ways that are accessible, inclusive and meaningful.

Bristol County Savings Bank is an active supporter in the communities in which it serves. The Foundation was established in 1996 as part of the Bank’s 150^th Anniversary celebration. Its purpose is to fund needs that contribute to the economic and the social well-being of the people and institutions located in the greater Taunton/Attleboro region, the greater New Bedford/Dartmouth region, the greater Fall River region and greater Providence, Rhode Island region, with particular emphasis in the areas of education and literacy, economic development and housing for the low- to moderate-income population.

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