Spent 20 hours shadowing the work done at the Lawrence County Historical Society in New Castle, PA. Presentation gives a basic overview of the society and then includes four recommendations that could enhance the quality of the organization.

1. Overview of the Lawrence County Historical Society Benjamin Hemmings 12/10/10

2. LCHS: Overview of the Basics Located in the City of New Castle 408 N. Jefferson Street Open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays: 11am – 4pm

3. LCHS Overview: Historical Perspective

4. LCHS Overview: Historical Perspective http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-YPev3wFL8

5. LCHS Overview: Historical Perspective Founded by Charles Young in 1938 with a group of local lawyers. The society began to fade after Young’s death in 1943 Society was revitalized in 1976 by Dr. Ellis and Rosemary Hoffman The Society then began to flourish and in 1982 the Clavelli House was donated to the Society, where it became its new home. In 2008, major changes began to take place due to budget cuts.

6. LCHS: Agency Overview There is no paid staff 6-8 volunteers that work at the society on a constant basis. Agency holds it monthly board meeting on the second Tuesday of every month A lecture or other event is usually held the following Wednesday for all society members

7. LCHS: Agency Overview President: Paul Lynch 1st Vice President: Tom Weller 2nd Vice President: Melissa Golba 3rd Vice President: George Stefanis Secretary: Sam B. Biasucci Treasurer: Jon Kosier Administrator: Anna Mary Mooney 15 other board members

8. LCHS: Effectiveness FUNDING A KEY FACTOR!!! Volunteers Services: Archive of County Records (Deeds, Wills, Marriage Records, etc) Maps of the County from years 1855-1931 Yearbooks from local schools Reference Works Records of New Castle Newspapers Cemetery Records Military Records

9. LCHS: Agency Overview Programs the society offers: Monthly lecture series with guest speakers Reading discussion groups Museum Tours Walking tours of historic New Castle Lawrence County Trivia Competition

10. Recommendations Hold a retreat/training series for board members Expand ideas and influence Openness for change Understand the role of the society Search new ways for funding Broaden focus

11. Recommendations Develop a risk management plan/ethics plan More insurance than expensive items What to do in time of crises How to conduct day to day affairs Having a sense of what the society does on a day to day basis Would be beneficial to volunteers

12. Recommendations Develop a method to evaluate volunteers Volunteers have been doing a great job Not everyone can just show up and expect to do something Could be used to develop a training technique to educate volunteers Create a welcoming atmosphere for the community.

13. Recommendations Expand into the Community!!!! NEW CASTLE NEEDS ITS HISTORY Make connections with local high school history teachers Help local high schools teach history out of the classroom Work to put the society’s name in the community Results: Return a sense of pride to a broken city by reminding them of where they came from!!!