The Springfield Museums have announced the identity of the previously anonymous donors for whom the new Museum of Springfield History is to be named. The museum will now be known as the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.
The announcement was made at a May 27 dinner for Society of William Rice Members of the Springfield Museums. The $4.3 million gift is being paid over several years and will be completed with a legacy gift.
When the donation was first announced in September 2009, the donors requested that they remain anonymous until this spring. “We’re so happy to finally announce the names of these extraordinarily generous benefactors,” said Holly Smith-Bové, president of the Springfield Museums. “Merrie and Lyman have always been very dedicated to the Springfield Museums and have volunteered many hours of service in addition to their financial support. The magnitude of their gift will help the Museums continue to serve our community and the many thousands of visitors who enjoy coming here each year.”
Merrie and Lyman Wood moved to Hampden, Mass., from southern Connecticut in 1983. Mr. Wood has served the Springfield Museums for two terms as treasurer and two years as chairman, and has also chaired several board-level committees.
Mrs. Wood was chair of the Fine Arts Council at the Museums. She also serves on the boards of the Willie Ross School for the Deaf and the MacDuffie School.
Mr. and Mrs. Wood were instrumental in getting Planned Parenthood to establish its new health clinic in Springfield six years ago, and Mr. Wood served on the organization’s state board of trustees for several years. The couple earned the Edelin Award of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts.
Mr. Wood has also chaired the boards of Springfield College, and City Stage and Symphony Hall. He received the Pynchon Award in 2003 and the YMCA’s Order of the Red Triangle and President’s Award. The National Society of Fundraising Executives of Western Massachusetts presented him with its Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Mr. Wood received his undergraduate degree from Harvard University in 1959 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1961. He has also received honorary degrees from Springfield College and from Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach, Florida.