Haystack Hill, Looking Down on Lucasville
“If history were taught in the form of stories,
it would never be forgotten.”
― Rudyard Kipling, The Collected Works
Some of the best
historians are not noted authors or college professors. They don't
necessarily work in the field or hold positions in museums,
government agencies, or libraries. Instead, they are John and Jane
Does of all ages who share a love for the study of the past. They do
their reading, collecting, and researching through small local
historical societies that are dedicated to protecting and preserving
historical records and interpreting the past to the public. Put in simpler way, these local nonprofits preserve great stories.
It is not unusual to find
important family documents throughout local homes, locked away in old
chests, glass front book cases, and family albums and journals. What
some may consider trivia, local historians view as key artifacts for
understanding the past. Many residents not only possess items of
interest but also store vital information that provides great
historical significance.
Elizabeth Fuller,
librarian at the Westchester County Historical Society in Elmsford,
New York, says, ''In the past, historical societies were run by old
ladies who used to just sit in their lovely little houses and wait
for somebody to knock on the door.”
Today that is changing.
Those who run the societies are beginning to see themselves and their
buildings as keepers of a culture – not simply as repositories for
birth records and torn photographs. They believe they have a right to
expect that those things will be taken care of and displayed in a
professional manner.
In fact, in Westchester,
the Bicentennial in 1976 generated such a flurry of interest in the
Revolutionary War that the State Education Department recommended in
1982 that all fourth graders learn the history of their communities.
The historical society serves as a vibrant, important source for
local and state history.
Historical societies don’t
just document local history. They also work to preserve historic
buildings, cemeteries, and other structures in the areas. They
frequently partner with other like-minded organizations to save
these environments. And, to improve awareness of local history, the
societies run outreach efforts that appeal to younger generations –
these educational opportunities teach youth to become better stewards
of their own environment.
Local historical societies
offer incredible benefits to communities large and small. Here are
some important benefits of generating an interest in local history
...
- History introduces people to critical skills of evidence and argument – (1) It develops contextual understanding and historical thinking. (2) It encourages engagement with continuity, change, and causation while emphasizing the skills to interpret accurately and communicate clearly complex areas.
- History nurtures personal and collective identity.
- History helps build the foundation of a vibrant community through family stories, tribal traditions, and civic commemorations.
- History teaches people about their responsibilities to each other and to their community.
- History is a catalyst for economic development while helping attract talent, tourism, and business.
- History helps people envision a better future – it encourages people to express opinions, listen to others, and take action.
- History inspires leaders while providing role models who can help others navigate the complexities of modern life.
- History, saved and preserved, serves as the foundation for future generations in an active, civic community.
Local historical societies
help transform communities from places where we live into places that
we love. They support the diverse cultural experience by taking
direct action and inspiring broad public support for all residents –
the varied people comprising a certain population. The organizations
are all about sharing a common existence.
Many of us get interested
in “local history” at the passing of our parents or of other
significant elders. Invariably, we wish we had taped their stories,
or had at least had taken notes about their lives. After their
passing, we understand that how they lived through important events
of their days does matter – their memories of ordinary life are the
most poignant histories of all, stories that should be preserved and
shared with others.
We must meet the
responsibility of preserving local history. This presents a
tremendous challenge in an hurried age when historical societies are,
in a sense, competing with all sorts of other fashionable educational
and entertainment opportunities. Historical societies need to
modernize their outreach and seek, new and effective means of
engaging citizens of all ages.
When we “find something
of ourselves” in the past – in buildings, stories, papers,
photos, artifacts – we better value the importance of historical
engagement and preservation. Also, then, we appreciate the great
value that lies in our ability to offer primary sources such as
eyewitness accounts and intimate personal observations of events and
time periods free from interpretation by historians and authors. Each
of these primary sources offers a unique, original perspective. And,
each of these bits of history solidifies our human connections.
Through the examination of the past, community historical societies
strengthen present and future generations.
“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny
and obliterate their own understanding of their history.”
― George Orwell
Note of Interest: The Lucasville Area Historical Society strives to collect, preserve, and share the history of historic Lucasville, Ohio, founded in 1819. The society's interests include the areas around Lucasville, extending into Jefferson, Morgan, Rush, and Clay. Click here: Townships.http://www.lucasvilleohio1819.com/
Facebook page LAHS, click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LucasvilleAreaHistoricalSociety/
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