AMHERST — On the eve of the 139th anniversary of the death of acclaimed poet Emily Dickinson — arguably the town’s most famous resident — the museum named in her honor marked a significant milestone of its own on Tuesday.

The Emily Dickinson Museum celebrated the reconstruction of its Carriage House and the reopening of The Evergreens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that drew supporters from throughout the community.

A former owner tore down the original Carriage House decades ago, but the museum reconstructed it using historic maps, deeds, insurance documents, archaeological reports, lithographs, and photos.

With the reconstruction, it will now be the museum’s visitor center and gift shop, both of which had previously been inside the Homestead, where Dickinson lived. Its upper level will house office space for museum staff.

“Tonight, we stand in this beautiful, sustainably restored Carriage House, the bridge between past and future,” Jacob Robinson, executive director of the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, said at the ceremony. “We care for that same spirit of hope of which Emily wrote so eloquently about. May this place inspire every visitor, from right here in Amherst to those traveling from around the world, to look beyond today’s challenges and believe in what we can achieve together.”

The changes celebrated Tuesday will help facilitate another round of renovations at the homestead over the next few years, which will include restoring the kitchen and dining room; a future phase of renovations will also include restoring a family barn.

The overall intent of the restorations is “that [Dickinson’s] daily life and literary legacy can be more fully presented and appreciated in the place it was created,” said Executive Director Jane Wald in a statement.

Funding for the reconstruction came in large part from a $750,000 gift from former board members John and Elizabeth Armstrong.

“We’ve always been proud of our association with the Museum, recognizing its importance to our regional community and now — through the wonders of technology — to the world,” Elizabeth Armstrong said in a statement.

The Evergreens was the home of Austin Dickinson, Emily’s brother, and his wife Susan. It closed for tours last August while the Carriage House was being reconstructed.

At the ceremony, Robinson read one of Dickinson’s most famous poems, “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers.”

“I like that poem,” he said. “I think it’s fitting, as we reflect a bit about what this project means for the community, actually. Just as many voices contributed to this project — museum staff, municipal leaders, donors, Chamber members — our collective hope is what binds us to a common vision of growth that honors the heritage and looks toward tomorrow. Hope isn’t a fleeting emotion, but it is an unknown commitment, and I think by investing in sustainable design and in cultural preservation, we signal confidence in Amherst’s future here.”

Robinson also noted that an upgrade to the museum, which receives more than 15,000 visitors each year, “underscores our region’s leadership in sustainable tourism.” In reconstructing the Carriage House, the museum aimed to make the building a “passive house,” which “will result in significant energy savings and eliminate reliance on fossil fuels for heating and cooling,” according to a press release. It will be the first museum building and first renovated historic house in the U.S. with “passive house” certification.

This Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., the museum will commemorate the 139th anniversary of Dickinson’s death with its annual Poetry Walk, a self-guided walk through Amherst that ends at Dickinson’s gravesite in West Cemetery, where participants will place daisies and toast Dickinson with lemonade at noon. Participation is free, but registration is required via emilydickinsonmuseum.org.

“The town of Amherst is extraordinary. It was extraordinary in Emily Dickinson’s own time, and it has remained a very special place,” said Wald, “and we’re all pleased to be part of it, to work together to improve it, to make the most of what it can be.”

Carolyn Brown can be reached at cbrown@gazettenet.com.