City's historical society to open museum

LACONIA — The Laconia Historical and Museum Society will soon live up to the second part of its name by opening a pop-up museum in its building at 65 Water St. Society President Tara Shore shared the news during the society's annual meeting on Tuesday morning.

“We are the Historical and Museum Society. We don't have a museum, but we have all this stuff we really want to share. It’s our mission,” Shore said. “We made a decision that was a little bit scary, actually very scary.”

The museum, which may open up by the summer, will feature various documents, photographs and artifacts which have been in storage since the previous Laconia Museum, founded by resident Bob Dearborn, closed in 1996, after his death. The museum started in 1992, as part of the city’s 100th anniversary. LHMS Treasurer Pam Clark said Dearborn was her uncle, and she is happy a museum is coming back to the city.

“I feel it's his legacy that we're going to finally make that step forward to have a museum again.”

Board members hope the museum will bring in more sponsorships for the organization. The board gave a financial update at the meeting. While they had a net positive income last year, they lost a key source of income after office suite rental space in the building became vacant.

The society's income allows them to manage overhead costs and invest in necessary infrastructure, but sponsorships play a pivotal role in their ability to deliver programming and organize events which help the community learn about its history. They also provide collaboration among community organizations. Shore hopes a tangible thing, like the museum, will connect more people to the mission.

“Financial help is always the issue for historical societies. Always,” she said. “We don't have puppies, we don't have animals, and we don't have children, per se, and so it's really tough for people to find a place in their heart for an old building.”

Rental space is available in the society's building on Water Street. Details about the office space as well as sponsorships can be found at laconiahistory.com.

LHMS is currently working to fund the fixing of the roof at 65 Water St., where all the organization's collections are stored. Water damage has worsened the situation over time, and Shore emphasized how much of a disaster it would be for Laconia to lose its historical records.

“This building holds thousands of Laconia stories. And so, for that matter, we believe that this building is one of the most historically significant buildings in Laconia. If something were to happen to this building, if we didn't get a roof and the water were to come in, the loss would be horrific,” she said. “Documents, photographs, our artifacts, if any of that was destroyed, the story of Laconia has a lot of big holes in it.”

Members of LHMS honored Laconia High School senior Morgan Mitchell, 17, with the Warren D. Huse Honorary Student Membership. This membership is awarded to a LHS student who demonstrates a strong interest in history and passion for exploring various cultures, societies and historical events. The school chooses a student to recommend to receive the membership.

The membership includes an online newsletter featuring information on the society’s collections, programming and events, invitations to member-only events, a 15% discount on LHMS publications, discounted admission for selected programs and workshops, a private tour of Laconia’s City Walk in downtown, complimentary family history service or family genealogy class, and advance notice of ticket sales and discounts to society programs and events.

Mitchell was chosen due to her performance in Advanced Placement U.S. History, specifically noting her writing, research capabilities and leadership role in the class. She also was recognized for notable school accomplishments including as co-captain of the Math Team, co-vice president of the National Honor Society, and receiving the St. Anselm Book Award. She also started her own dog-sitting business.

Mitchell expressed her gratitude for the membership.

“I'm very appreciative, because I think documenting the history of Laconia is so important,” she said.

Shore emphasized after the meeting that continued documentation of Laconia’s history and its community is important.

“We all have these stories of our lives, and right now your story is here in Laconia,” she said. “And you may see you feel like that's semi-insignificant, because you're one human being. But you don't know that. You don't know how important your story is right now to this city and to us.”