Coastal Discovery Museum seeks $450,000 to sustain year‑round programs that it says draw 128,000 off‑island visitors

Rex Garnowitz, director of the Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn, presented the museum’s 2027 ATAX application and data collection methodology to the committee, stressing the site’s year‑round reach and role as a cultural and ecotourism anchor.

“This past fiscal year ending in June '26, we served a 142,000 people,” Garnowitz said, adding that 128,000 of those were off‑island attendees. He described a conservative approach to counting visitors — sign‑in zip codes, booking data and sampled intercept surveys — and offered estimates that museum programs generate thousands of room nights and meaningful economic return for the island.

Garnowitz told the committee the museum’s request of $450,000 would help maintain visitor services, support exhibitions and preserve the Honey Horn property. Committee members asked about admission, fundraising alternatives and whether charging admission would affect partnerships; Garnowitz said the museum is exploring parking and donation options while retaining free general access under its existing town lease.