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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 privide for the future of the museum and support its mission of preservation and education.


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.

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The George Washington Wells Society - All donors who establish life income gifts for Old Sturbridge Village, or who name the Village in their wills, automatically become eligable for membership in the George Washington Wells Society. The society is named for George Washington Wells, co-founder of American Optical Company of Southbridge, Mass. He displayed a talent for adaptation of technology and invention of manufacturing processes that eventually led to the establishment of American Optical Company. He and his sons established American Optical as the world leader in the manufacturing and sale of eyeglasses. His 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.

For more information on how to make a charitable gift to OSV please contact the OSV Development Office, via email or by calling 508-347-3362, ext. 247.