Three Nonprofits Each Get $1 Million From Jan And Louise Nickerson Estates

CHATHAM – Three local organizations have each received a $1 million donation from the estates of Joshua “Jan” Nickerson and Louise “Weezie” Nickerson.

 The donations to the Chatham Historical Society, Nickerson Family Association and the Edward Bangs Kelley and Elza Kelley Foundation were announced last week by the executors of the two estates.

 Jan Nickerson grew up in East Harwich and for more than 50 years ran Mid Cape Home Centers, which was founded by his grandfather. His wife passed away in 2005 and Jan Nickerson died in 2023. The couple set up the estates years ago and made it clear they “wanted to do something for the community,” said Douglas Bohannon of Brewster, a friend of Jan Nickerson and co-executor of the estates.

 “They just loved being part of the community and being philanthropic,” he said.

 The bequest will enrich the endowments of all three organizations. The Nickerson Family Association complex is based in Chathamport near the original settlement of Chatham founder William Nickerson, from whom Jan was descended. The addition to its endowment will help ensure its continued operation in the future, said association board president Robert Nickerson.

 “This is the largest [donation] we’ve had,” he said Feb. 5. “The whole intent is to build the endowment up so the organization can run without struggling.” The association’s endowment was begun by Scott Nickerson, whom Robert Nickerson said was close to Jan. 

 “We’re quite excited and pleased,” he added.

 The association is devoted to preserving the legacy of the town’s first European settlers and maintains a robust family genealogy at its Orleans Road campus, which includes two historic buildings. A barn once owned by William Nickerson’s son is currently being reconstructed on the property.

 The bequest will also bolster the historical society’s endowment, said board president Michael Woehler. He called the donation “unprecedented” and said it would “make sure that future generations have the ability to participate in the society. This is for the future.”

 “For a small nonprofit, this is a major milestone,” he said.

 Jan Nickerson was a member of both organizations and was also a former member of the board of the Kelley Foundation, which is administered by the Cape Cod Foundation. The $1 million donation will help the foundation continue to support local nonprofits and scholarships, president Bert Talerman said in a statement.

 “There were so many organizations the family supported over the years,” but these three were closest to them, Bohannon said. He noted that Jan’s father Joshua was also a benefactor of these and other organizations. One of the most popular exhibits at the historical society’s Atwood House Museum is Joshua’s North Beach camp, which was floated across Chatham Harbor from North Beach and relocated to the Stage Harbor Road grounds in 1991.

The camp’s preservation is “really special to us,” said Will Nickerson, Jan’s grandson. He recalled taking family photos at the camp during summer visits over the years. 

 “I have very fond memories of spending summers with him and Weezie,” he said. His mother, Agnes Nickerson, was married to the Nickersons’ only son, Peter. A co-executor of the estates, she is originally from Hong Kong and said her in-laws were “like my parents in the U.S.” She was especially close to Louise.

 “She was such a warm and loving person,” she recalled. “We really miss her a lot.”

 “She was the force behind Jan for many years,” added Bohannon, who was president and CEO of Mid Cape Homes until its sale in 2012. 

Both Louise and Jan specified that a percentage of their estates go to each of the three organizations, Bohannon said. Additional donations could be forthcoming before the estates are closed out, he added.

 “For now, we felt comfortable with the $1 million,” he said.