Who Are We?
“The purpose of the Society shall be to aid in the preservation of the vast fund of material abounding in this historic area and to promote local and generic historic research and interest.”
We are a private organization made up of citizens from Lebanon and the surrounding area, dedicated to the gathering and preservation of historical information and artifacts. We do, indeed, believe in fostering research and interest in the history of the area.
We are registered as a 501(c)(3), non-profit.
(Your donations to us are tax deductible.)
A Brief History…
Our official “birthdate” is June 21, 1964. On that date, spearheaded by Leon Church, the owner and editor (at that time) of the Lebanon Advertiser, and founder of the Lebanon Historical Society (LHS), the organization came together and began its mission. LHS’s first project was acquiring the Mermaid House Inn to prevent it from being torn down and its history lost. After acquiring the property, they set about repairing, cleaning up, and preparing it for public viewing.
A delay in the restoration of Mermaid House was encountered as another historical site was in danger of being lost – Emerald Mound. The Society took point in preserving Emerald Mound as it was being sold off for fill. Eventually, due to the work of LHS, the State Historic Society was convinced to take possession of Emerald Mound and preserve it as a State Historic Site.
Returning their focus to Mermaid House, repairs were made, with some restoration of the premises to previous form, exhibits were gathered and put into place for everyone to enjoy. The Mermaid House Inn was added separately to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1975. Then the organization set out to preserve the historic nature of the buildings within Lebanon.
LHS Born:
June 21, 1964
Mermaid Hotel Added to National Historic Registry:
December 4, 1975
Lebanon Historic District Created and Added to National Historic Registry:
November 7, 1978
Due to the diligent work of the Lebanon Historical Society, on October 4, 1978, the largest area ever designated in one request (as of that time) was added to the National Registry of Historic Places, Federal Registry Entry 11-7-78. (Before this, individual buildings and locations were the norm.)
It was this type of work that the Lebanon Historical Society took on during its early years. Click here to view the Nomination Form for the National Register of Historic Places. Note that the area approved by the National Park Service (keepers of the Registry) is much larger than the area that the City of Lebanon has designated as its “Historic District”.
Looking Toward the Future…
The Lebanon Historical Society is in the midst of a resurgence, with several projects underway at this time. Volunteers are returning a 100 year old trolley to a state reminiscent of its look and feel of 100 years ago. We are converting the former Lebanon Advertiser Building into our new Lebanon History Museum. We are also creating an online historical repository with the express purpose of expanding the reach of the Lebanon Historical Society to those who wish to see and learn, no matter where they are in the world.
Keep an eye on this website for details of these projects, including how you can help.
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