Save the Davidson Legacy Cottage from getting bulldozed!!
Update 2nd December 2024
The fight to save the Davidson Legacy Cottage continues! We're in a final push for our crowdfunding campaign. Help us preserve this piece of Harley Davidson history! ️
We've been working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure funding for the Davidson Legacy Cottage, but with so many amazing projects out there, it's been a tough fight as our project is so unique.
We want to preserve this piece of social history that shows the Davidson’s from Harley Davidson life before immigrating to the USA but we can't do it without you.
This is our final push for our crowdfunding campaign! We're still seeking £49K to make this dream a reality. Thanks to everyone who's donated so far - your generosity means the world!
Help us save the Davidson Legacy Cottage from demolition! Donate today:
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Update 30/09/24
Urgent Update:
Last week, we met with UK government community ownership fund workers and received crucial feedback!
To move forward with the project, we must raise the full amount of match funding now by the end of this November. This extra time is invaluable and we must show progress. We will be having regular meetings with the COF who are monitoring us closely as we near the deadline.
There are no guarantees but as long as we have the full amount of match funding in place, they advised us we can then apply for an extension to allow us extra time to get the coveyencing completed.
This is a tight deadline, but with your support, we can achieve it! We have raised just over £18k from the various donating options and some great items are coming up too that we hope will help raise more.
An Incredible 91 people have donated to our GoFundMe campaign and will be automatically entered to win a Harley-Davidson Family Memories book signed by BOTH Jean & Jon Davidson!
This great prize was generously donated by West Coast Harley-Davidson.
Our page reached 27,000 people in a week of the launch of the gofundme page and if everyone took a moment to just donate £3.00 ...... this challenge would have been done.
Let's come together to support the save the cottage campaign.
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Davidson Legacy Cottage's fate hangs in the balance again. We urgently need to raise £70,000 this October 2024 to secure the cottage's future. The fate of this historic home of the Davidsons from Harley-Davidson was nearly sealed in 2021 when the current owners put the cottage on the open market.
The only purchase offers reported were to see the little cottage museum demolished to make way for a housing development. We couldn't let that happen and banded together three years ago to work towards community ownership.
We've been tirelessly working for these three years, raising awareness, setting up the charity to enable the community to save the cottage and now with two unsuccessful attempts at securing funding from the National Heritage Lottery, we're now facing a daunting reality. We are so close but just need a bit more!
£299,900 to lose if we don't raise £70,000!
We must meet a crucial deadline to avoid losing the significant £250,000 UK Government Community Ownership grant which we have already worked hard to secure in December 2023. This award must be used within the year, hence our plea for help to raise the match funding or we lose it! This award also comes with £49,900 for the much needed project worker and fees costs.
With your help, we can save the Davidson Legacy Cottage and help it reach its full potential and more. We know it is more than just a building, or museum; it's a symbol of our community's history and a potential catalyst for positive change. We envision it as a vibrant community hub, hosting events, workshops, and gatherings for all to enjoy.
Those who have visited will testify, “It doesn’t matter how many pictures you see or how much you have read about the story, it's not until you walk through those doors that you truly appreciate the history and the journey the family travelled to get to where they are today. “Kenny from H.O.G POD UK and Northern Ireland.
Your support is more vital than ever. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goal of £70,000. Together, we can ensure that Davidson Legacy Cottage remains a cherished part of our heritage for generations to come. We have asked for £80,000 in our GoFundMe to help cover the GoFundMe administration costs that are involved and will use anything over the match funding of £70,000 received towards other repairs and maintenance needed for the cottage.
Why is this important?
A Piece of History: The Davidson Legacy Cottage is more than just a house; it's a tangible connection to the rich heritage of the Davidson family and Harley-Davidson. As a significant historical landmark, it offers a glimpse into a time of immense significance for Scots at home and abroad. Even without its iconic Harley-Davidson ties, it stands as a testament to the tumultuous changes in the lives of ordinary people. Preserving this cottage is vital for safeguarding a crucial part of Scottish history and the legacy the Davidson family built by following the American Dream.
The cottage's restoration in 2012 has already attracted generations of fans and Davidson family members, solidifying its status as a pilgrimage site for enthusiasts worldwide.
YouTube Link to the launch video of the SportsterS in Scotland where Bill Davidson steps into his family's home.
A Community Hub: Our vision is to transform the cottage into a community hub, offering educational programs, workshops, and events celebrating local culture and heritage. We aim to create opportunities for volunteering through various initiatives, such as a café, grounds work, tourism, or simply a place to relax and enjoy.
Economic Impact: Preserving the Davidson Legacy Cottage will not only benefit the community culturally but also economically, attracting visitors and boosting local and national tourism. The cottage has already proven its ability to draw people from around the globe, demonstrating its appeal to both motorcycle enthusiasts and those seeking a step back in time.
Don’t let the Davidsons historic home have the same fate or less than that of William Harleys in Littleport England. His family home where his father William was born is in Littleport is no longer there to be saved. Instead stands the above Harley-Davidson tribute to the families heritage.
Williams father left his hometown in 1859 for his new life in America, where he then joined the Army. There, he fought on the side of the Union in the American Civil War.
His son, William Sylvester Harley, was born in the U.S. in 1880 and as chance would have it, he became good friends with Arthur Davidson and his brothers. These four gentlemen went on to form the Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1903.
The Challenge:
Unfortunately we are in a desperate position, our recent application to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for the £70,000 in match funding was unsuccessful. This setback has left us facing a critical deadline to secure the necessary funds and save the cottage.
We know the work won’t stop there and our volunteers are willing and able to support the long-term preservation but as they say, you can have all the will in the world but if you have nothing to put it to…….you have nothing.
Your Support:
Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference. Your generosity will help us:
• Secure the Cottage: Purchase the Davidson Legacy Cottage and prevent its sale to developers.
• Preserve History: Protect a vital piece of Scottish heritage for future generations.
• Create a Community Hub: Develop a space for education, events, and cultural celebration.
Join Us in Saving the Davidson Legacy Cottage!
Together, we can ensure that this historic home remains a cherished part of our community for years to come. Please donate generously and share this campaign with your friends and family.
More information: Davidson Legacy Cottage's charity mission is to purchase the at-risk historical family home of the Davidson family cottage set in the heart of Angus Scotland. This was the family home of the Davidson family before they emigrated to America and started the iconic motorcycle brand Harley-Davidson along with William Harley. The objective is to save it from development and create and maintain the historical visitor attraction to tell the story of the Davidson family and life in Scotland in the 1800's along with the story of the restoration from 2008 to the present.
Thank you for your support!
From all of us at Davidson Legacy Cottage SCIO' charity registration number SC052174
Organizer
Nyree Aitken
Organizer
Scotland
Davidson Legacy Cottage
Beneficiary