All donors who establish life income gifts for Old Sturbridge Village, or who name the Village in their wills, automatically become eligible for membership in the George Washington Wells Society. The society is named for George Washington Wells, who started a modest "spectacle shop" in Southbridge, Massachusetts, in the late 1840s and build the American Optical Company into a world leader in the manufacturing and sale of eyeglasses. His three sons followed him into the business and became succesful owner-executives with a passion for collecting. The three sons founded Old Sturbridge Village and bequeathed to the museum their collection of artifacts of material culture documenting everyday life of early nineteenth-century New Englanders.

The George Washington Wells Society recognizes individuals who have provided for Old Sturbridge Village in their estate plans and have informed the Village of this commitment. These provisions can be in the form of bequests, charitable annuities, life insurance, charitable trusts or gifts of retirement plan assets. Society members receive special recognition of their generosity.

Life Income Gifts

You can make a gift to Old Sturbridge Village that will pay you income during your lifetime and generate significant tax savings. Most importantly, your gift will provide for the future of the museum and support its mission of preservation and education.

Your Goals

Any of the following life gift opportunities may be appropriate for you, if you are looking to:

Receive a fixed income
Receive a variable income that may grow over time
Increase your annual income
Provide additional income for others
Increase financial security during retirement years
Enjoy tax savings
Find a way to make a significant gift to Old Sturbridge Village

Charitable Gift Annuity

A Charitable Gift Annuity at Old Sturbridge Village is an easy way to give yourself - and the Village - greater security in the future. Each Charitable Gift Annuity pays a lifetime annual income to you (and/or another person you choose), eases your income tax burden, and reduces a portion of capital gains taxes when you fund your gift with appreciated long term assets. Your donation also helps secure the museum, sustaining its programs and educational mission for future generations. Gift Annuity rates are determined by the age of the person receiving the income payments.

Charitable Remainder Trust

Through a charitable remainder trust, you can make a significant gift to Old Sturbridge Village while providing income to yourself and/or another beneficiary for life or for a specified number of years. Under this arrangement you irrevocably transfer assets (usually cash or stock) to a trustee of your choice, who will manage and invest the trust assets. The trustee will make regular payments to you, or to other beneficiary(ies) you choose, for life or for a specified number of years. After the lifetime of the income beneficiary, the trust assets go to Old Sturbridge Village to support the work of the museum.

For more information on how to make a charitable gift to OSV please contact the Development Department, via email or by calling 508-347-0253.