Membership Drive Yields Results

At the end of 2004, the Historical Society of Cecil County announced a campaign to increase membership in the nearly 75-year old organization, whose mission is to showcase, promote, and preserve the County's past. The recently announced drive has been so successful that the Society announced it quickly climbed past an important milestone, when Michael R. Pugh of Elkton became the 1000th member. "We've exceeded our expectations," said Karen Lofthouse, the organization's membership secretary. "Membership is such an important part of our operation, and the more supporters we have, the more we can do to enhance our museum and library. Through these facilities, we provide a way to discover information about the past and study objects and traditions. Membership is an easy way to support on-going projects to promote the stories from the past right here at the top of the Chesapeake Bay."

Beyond knowing that you are supporting an all volunteer organization with an important mission, membership comes complete with valuable incentives. These include a widely treasured subscription to the Cecil Historical Journal, which contains in-depth, lively stories in each issue and the Inkwell, the newsletter, filled with all the latest events and happenings. It also includes invitations to special events and programs, the opportunity to hear entertaining and thought-provoking speakers, bus trips, and discounts on items offered in the gift shop. While there are a variety of membership categories, the basic ones include individual at $15 and family at $23.

For more details on the Society, visit its web site at www.cchistory.org or stop by its headquarters at 135 E. Main Street in Elkton. New members can sign up by visiting the web site or they may drop the Society a note, indicating their desire to join and including a check for the appropriate amount. Lofthouse urges those interested in Cecil's legacy to join. "Your contribution makes available outstanding heritage resources to thousands of members, school children, senior groups, civic organizations, and visitors from across the nation. In addition, whenever national, local or regional media want background on a story, they turn to our library.” Within research circles, the group has a well-earned reputation as having one of Maryland's outstanding county-level library collections. But it relies on its membership to help it sustain and preserve our rich heritage for generations to come. Without this base, none of the library and museum programs, exhibits, publications, archives, or conservation efforts would exist.