The 2025/26 year has been a busy and productive one for the Lakewood Historical Society. Despite challenges for all facets of Public History, we are thrilled that we have reached as many groups as we have. As we close our fiscal year, it is my pleasure to share a few of our highlights from the past year:
- We provided school tours and programming to Lakewood Public and area schools.
- We activated the Haber Center with rotating exhibits from our collection and through our Lights and Linens preservation sale.
- Our Preservation committee continued to preserve and promote Lakewood’s history through advocacy and special programming like Century Home mailers and plaques.
- We conducted special events throughout the year, including a Victorian tea party and joint programming with Church of the Ascensions 150th anniversary.
- We ran the Ohio Heritage Camp for 3 weeks, servicing more students than ever.
- We presented lectures at several local institutions and continued our annual High School History Club lecture for the third year running.
- We welcomed hundreds of visitors to the Oldest Stone House during its open season.
- We provided services to the community through our Sales and numerous research inquiries.
- We participated in Lakewood events, including the Solstice Celebration, Arts Fest, and the Madison Park Community Festival, and accomplished much more!
To continue expanding our initiatives, we need assistance from supporters like you. Your donation today can benefit the Society as we look forward to our 75th anniversary in 2027. Here are a few examples:
- Building the capacity of our organization by supporting staffing and preserving historic resources through our collections and museum spaces.
- Allowing the Society to better assess, grow, preserve, and display its rich archive.
- Assist with needed building maintenance over the three historic structures.
- Help promote preservation efforts in Lakewood, and much more.
Your annual appeal gift will help ensure that we can continue to deliver quality free and low-cost programming while supporting our future financial stability.
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 would love to hear from you.
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.