The 2024/25 year has been a busy and productive one for the Lakewood Historical Society. In a moment of great uncertainty for local history and public history at large, we are thrilled that we have been able to reach as many groups as we have. As we close our 2024/25 fiscal year, it is my pleasure to share some of our highlights from the past year:

• We provided school tours and programming to Lakewood Public Schools and area schools, including Lincoln Elementary and Birchwood School of Hawken.
• We extended Ohio Heritage Camp to 3 weeks, servicing more students than ever.
• We launched Door to Door History walking tours, sharing Detroit Avenue’s rich history.
• We hosted lectures, including continuing our annual High School History Club lecture.
• Intern Erin Duncan, a M.A. Student at Old Dominion University, curated a special Military Collection within the Society’s archive that will be displayed later this year.
• We provided information to visitors from Lakewood and afar.
• We welcomed hundreds of visitors to the Oldest Stone House during its open season.
• We completed another successful House Tour, with 8 beautiful Lakewood homes on offer.
• We provided services to the community through our Sales.
• We participated in Lakewood events, including the Solstice Celebration, Arts Fest, and the Madison Park Community Festival.

To continue the expansion of our initiatives, we need assistance from supporters like you. Your donation today can benefit the Society and help it grow in many ways. Here are a few examples:

• Building the capacity of our organization by supporting staffing and preserving historic resources through our collections and museum space.
• Allowing the Society to better assess, grow, preserve, and display its rich archive.
• Assist with much needed building maintenance over the three historic structures.
• Help promote preservation efforts in Lakewood, and much more.

Your annual fund gift at the most generous level possible will help us bring quality programming to our community. It ensures that we can continue to deliver free and low-cost programming and supports our financial stability for the future. 

Please reach out to me if you would like to learn about our plans for the coming years and for upcoming special projects that could supplement your annual appeal gift. I hope you will consider donating today as our fiscal year ends. We thank you for your generous support.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert Shimp, Director

Lakewood Historical Society

P.S. Your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law and will immediately help us fulfill our mission during this critical moment in time.