Strawbery Banke Breaks Ground on $350K Project

On a wet, rainy Wednesday morning, Strawbery Banke Museum officials and other invited guests broke ground on a $350,000 project that when completed in September will double the size of the Tyco Visitors Center.

State Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, past chair of the Strawbery Banke Board of Trustees, Mayor Eric Spear, Strawbery Banke President and CEO Lawrence Yerdon, current Strawbery Banke Museum Board of Trustees Chair Cynthia Harvell were joined by Shaun Douston and Cynthia Wilson of Douston Construction and Bruce Dicker and Daniel Lamb of JSA Architects in front of the visitors center.

With golden shovels in hand, they broke the ceremonial ground for the expansion project that is already underway.

Fuller Clark said the goal is to enhance the current visitors center so it will offer larger groups a bigger meeting space and accommodate larger functions. She said the new cafe will offer fare like coffee, pastries and sandwiches with outdoor seating.

Fuller Clark said Strawbery Banke officials are currently soliciting requests for proposal from food vendors. Fuller Clark said that when the $350,000 expansion project is completed this fall, the larger Tyco Visitors Center will give visitors and groups an improved experience.

Fuller Clark also donated a gift to help the Strawbery Banke Museum Board of Trustees reach their goal to pay for the project, but the amount was not specified.