The Angeline Crocker Hinckley Hostel

The Legacy of a "Real Cape Codder"

In nine decades of living on Hyannis Harbor, Ruth Rusher knew the key roles travel and tourism play in the local economy, and in bringing the world to Cape Cod.

In 2010, her legacy will be fulfilled, as her lifelong home becomes a new hostel named for her mother -- The Angeline Crocker Hinckley Hostel. The project is "shovel ready," and through the generosity of Ruth Rusher and other lead donors, the project is 75% funded, but support is urgently needed to complete the project.

A Hyannis Hostel

True Smart Growth

The demand for a Hyannis hostel is proven: Hostelling International USA (HI-USA) operated a 40-bed hostel in Hyannis until 1994, when the building became structurally unsound and limited finances prohibited its replacement.

The new location could not be more ideal: across the street from the Hyannis ferry docks, steps to the free Hyannis trolley shuttle, less than a mile to the Hyannis bus station and in easy walking distance to museums, main street shops, beaches and other local historical, recreational and cultural attractions.

Community Benefits

Local organizations like the YMCA, Girl Scouts, public and private schools and churches all depend on hostels to help fulfill their mission and stretch their funds. HI-Hyannis will develop local programming in conjunction with educational and cultural institutions to serve local and visiting hostellers.

Data from a recent impact assessment of HI-New England hostels (Suffulk University Center for Public Management, 2008), suggests visitors to HI-Hyannis will contribute $500,000 annually to the local community. These are visitors who are not currently being served by other accommodations.

THE PROJECT

When complete, the hostel will feature 44 beds, across four buildings on a 1/2-acre campus. The main building is a historic Sears, Roebuck kit house, circa 1910. Extensive renovations are required to meet commercial safety codes, and HI-USA national quality standards, and to improve environmental sustainability. The project budget is $1.6 million, with more than $1.2 million raised to date.

Help HI-USA fund these improvements, continue to share the Cape and Islands with people of all backgrounds, and continue to provide educational programming that makes a real difference in the community. To donate or find out more contact HI-New England's treasurer, John Yonce.