Honoring the Founding Members of the Lucasville Area Historical Society

“No person was ever honored for what he received.

Honor has been the reward for what he gave.”

– Calvin Coolidge

We must use the word “honor” in description with great care, for this abstract concept includes both measures of personal values (ethos) and norms of social interaction (code of behavior). We naturally bestow honor on those who unselfishly sacrifice, even their lives, for the sake of the goals of an institution.

Just consider the military code of conduct. Honor is a sacred military value. It provides the “moral compass” for character and personal conduct in the service. Honor is bestowed upon those who carry out, act, and live the values of respect, duty, loyalty, selfless service, integrity and personal courage in everything they do.

Samuel Johnson, the renowned lexicographer, in his A Dictionary of the English Language (1755), defined “honor” as having several senses, the first of which was "nobility of soul, magnanimity, and a scorn of meanness.” This infers that honor is reserved for very special people who willingly apply themselves to serving others while combating contempt through their unflagging generosity.

On this observance of the 200^th Birthday of Lucasville, Ohio, it is imperative we honor the organization of the Lucasville Area Historical Society. A relatively small group of residents founded the historical society March 11, 1985, at the home of Mrs. Guy (Nell) Bumgarner. The club elected the following as pro tem officers: Gladys Pfleger, President; Pauline Herald, Vice-President; Irene Preston, Treasurer; Martha Sisler, Secretary; Alice Barker, Librarian; the hostess Nell Bumgarner, Historian.

Other members attending were Ruth Wolfe, Betty Dillow, Jean Nelson, Mary Childers, Octavia N. McKinley, Irene Zaler, Rosemary Crabtree, Ruby Kelly, Jeanne Sheets, Mary M. Wolfe, Jesse Comer, and Mary T. Purdy.

The LAHS stated their primary objective was “to aid in the collection, recording, and preservation of documents, publications, pictures, artifacts and other articles of historical information and interest.” The accomplishments of the historical society over the last 34 years have immeasurably enriched the community, the state, and the nation. The organization is so much more that print and photos. It is a critical outreach in the community.

We truly do honor these incredible original members – all ladies – whose vision led to the establishment of one of the best small-town historical associations in existence. We honor them because they exemplify the soul of the community. The work they did to form an incredible repository of historical information and to serve their community through sharing the heritage and traditions of the past is monumental.

Present-day members marvel at the extensive library compiled by these dedicated, volunteer public servants. Thanks to these few charter members, all residents can now explore the colorful human affairs of the area's past through the society's large body of papers and other artifacts. It is difficult to conceive the extent of the work accomplished by the founding members. We owe them a great debt of gratitude. And, thanks to their efforts, the LAHS continues to grow and to serve – a positive illumination made possible by the dream of those strong women.

The Ohio State University's Center For Folklore Studies, currently working with the Lucasville Area Historical Society and Valley High School students, describes the Lucasville Area Historical Society …

“The Lucasville Historical Society has been a critical fixture in the town of Lucasville, Ohio, serving to bridge the gap between local history and personal and familial significance. It aims to be a central hub for historical records from the area, and its large collections, mostly gleaned from personal donations, demonstrate the penchant for the preservation and exhibition of history within the community.”

I can only imagine how the historical society began its incredible journey. However, I do not have to imagine the results of their efforts – so many of their outcomes are readily available for public consumption and will be on display during the Lucasville Bicentennial Celebration of 2019. Thank you, Nell and Gladys and all you other charter members for your monumental accomplishment. We, who follow, honor you.

“In the end, our society will be defined not only by what we create,but by what we refuse to destroy.”

– John Sawhill, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy and President of New York University