LHS Document Project –
Originated 5/3/2021 –
Edited 5/27/2021 & 1/11/2022 –
The Lebanon Historical Society has several ongoing projects. Two of which were thrust upon us by circumstance and some misinformation, the other we chose to do “because it needs to be done.”
We are working on a complete accounting and history of the Trolley Project and our future History Museum for permanent display and reference within our electronic repository.
Stay tuned for more information.
The second project is known as the LHS Documentation Project.
In this project, Phase 1 is all about gathering information about the Lebanon Historical Society itself.
What we are looking for:
Information pertaining to the organization of the Historical Society.
Information about LHS activities over the years.
Data on where we are today (our current status)?
Documentation, imagery, etc.
Membership –
– Who are (and were) our membership?
– Where are these members now?
– How can we communicate with them?
How did we get here?
In the beginning, the Lebanon Historical Society (LHS) had a base group of hard-core historians. From papers they left behind, as well as news accounts – it appears that no project was too big for them to take on. In many ways, they were activists.
For example, LHS started with claiming the Mermaid House Inn (MHI). It had been in private hands for over a century, but was in danger of being lost. LHS purchased the property, took control and saved it from disappearing.
Even as this “intervention” was underway, another nearby historic area was under attack. Emerald Mound was being sold off as fill dirt. LHS put their rehab project on hold and took on the fight to save the mound and get it turned into a state historic site. They succeeded and Emerald Mound is now a State Historic Site.
LHS returned to restoration of the Mermaid Hotel and Inn (MHI). Maintenance of this structure by LHS continues today with help from our friends at the Garden Club of Lebanon. The Garden Club has taken on the job of maintaining the gardens around MHI, while LHS maintains the buildings and their content.
One of our early LHS members became known as the unofficial town historian, and has written and published several books about Lebanon. Her books are available through the Lebanon’s Visitors’ Center (Chamber of Commerce.) Another key member of LHS, whose father started LHS, was instrumental in taking care of MHI in particular and LHS in general. Up till his passing, he did a LOT of behind the scenes support (not all of which was known even to the active members).
Adjusting to the times
Like many organizations, times changed and the numbers of active members dwindled. Numbers of active members went so low that membership meetings for years were attended by 7, 6, 4, and for many months – just 3 people. Formality and rules of order were relaxed to the point that they effectively “didn’t exist.” A loose structure took its place, and worked well in an environment of 3 to 6 attendees each month. The free flow of information took on a very relaxed and non-parliamentary tone.
Some documentation, from the earliest years until current times, found its way to places unknown. Documentation went from “matter of fact” to “do we have that?” I would even say, with some things, it went to a status of “what is that?” It is from within this state that we are starting our re-discovery process. We are gathering all information from all sources, and trying to resurrect information as to the happenings within LHS since our inception. With the combined positions on the Executive Board split back out to its intended 5 member layout, and the positions all filled (either by election or appointment), a new emphasis on “getting things found and back in order” has been ignited.
Searches are underway for any and all documents pertaining to the Lebanon Historical Society and its journey from inception to current day. We are finding information, but somethings have been in “less than stellar” condition.
05/27/2021 –
A good example of the condition that some of the records that have been found are as follows:
This is the oldest copy of the Constitution, ByLaws and Amendments we can find. They were found in the bottom of a storage box that sometime between 1974 and today had gotten wet and very damaged. Using these and other partial copies, we have been able to reconstruct the Constitution and By Laws. (They can be found on our administrative page. Click here to view our Constitution and By Laws.)
Membership Search
Though the record books today show a membership list of 70+ members, we know for a fact that the numbers are wrong. A good number of people on the role are no longer with us (as in passed away). Others cannot be found (moved away). Up until recently, new members were pretty much unheard of.
We are compiling what we do have, and we will be in touch with all on the lists to ascertain their desire to continue.
Once we have reestablished who is still with us, we are hoping for membership on three levels.
1. Active members. These members are those that are taking a role in the organization, helping with projects, finding information, tracking down authenticity, etc. We hope this is the majority of our membership.
2. Supporting members. These are members that want to support the efforts of the Lebanon Historical Society and want to be kept informed of the activities of the organization, but for whatever reason do not wish to be part of our membership meetings and activities.
3. Honorary and Lifetime members. These memberships are conveyed by decree of the group corporate and can be bestowed on anyone that the group feels deserving of such. The difference between the two will be spelled out and added to the ByLaws.
Changes Needed
Now that our Constitution and Bylaws have been recovered, we are fully aware that they may need to be updated. A sub-group will be appointed to re-examine the documents, and how they fit with today’s needs and situation. Note that change may or may not happen. It depends on the needs of LHS and the current status of the rules.
Edit – 1/11/2022: The new Constitution and Bylaws have been written and will be published soon.
Continuing Objectives
A major objective of the first part of our project is to hunt down all the documents still in existence and get them to a “physically protected state”. All documents will be placed in a safe area after they are digitally copied. As part of this project, documentation found (and verified) will be made available to anyone that wants to view them via this website as well as physical examination, even as we are still gathering data. Keep this in mind as data may change as new information is found.
Phase 2 will be the digitation of the boxes upon boxes of material that we have in our possession. Each item will be imaged, documented, and then displayed both electronically and eventually in our museum. Though this was attempted several years ago, newer technology has come into our possession that will provide a much higher quality capture of this information.
Phase 3 will start the search among residents and supporters anywhere they may be. If an article is part of Lebanon’s History – we are interested!
Finding Answers
6/15/2021-
As we proceed we are finding our new members (and some non-members) are bringing forth questions and in some cases making assumptions because of the lack of information currently available. We are using these as a key in our searches of documentations left behind by our founders and those that have come after them and before us. Hang in there as we are finding some very interesting and in some cases surprising items and facts.
Also note that the Executive Committee has taken the stance that ALL documentation, including minutes, filings, and the like are to be added to this website for review. Where necessary, the documents will be transcribed and presented. In those cases transcription is necessary, when possible the original hand-written documents will be presented as well. Please note that finding, coordinating, and publishing is taking time, but will continue as this is a long term project.
Editor Note: This is a living document and will be added to as information and time are available.
Last updated – 1/11/2022
Save as PDF