Press Release**
Townshippers' Association
(**Written by Stevenson & Writers / Published as part of the Association's "Townships Success Stories" initiative)

There's no shortage of ways to measure success. If your criteria include longevity, influence and community recognition, then the Lennoxville-Ascot Historical and Museum Society (LAHMS) should be at the top of the list.

Archivist and past president Lu Rider said that continuing to exist is success enough for the LAHMS. "The Society was established in the 1970s by a group of people interested in conserving local heritage. Membership is dwindling and we are trying to increase it, but it seems that people have to reach a certain age before they become interested in heritage," she says.

LAHMS Archivist Lillian Rider and President Ruth Evans in the garden at Uplands Cultural & Heritage Centre. (Photo: Annie Duriez)

RECRUITMENT A CHALLENGE
While recruitment may be a challenge, it's made easier by the LAHMS' long history of activity and accomplishments - some of which have changed the face of Lennoxville forever. "Our major accomplishment was saving Uplands, the house and property, in 1987," Rider said. "The Historical Society and the Town of Lennoxville purchased Uplands, which had been a family home."

THE UPLANDS PROJECT
The Uplands project proved the LAHMS' relevance both as a historical society and a community-builder. "The community rallied behind the project and money was raised. When you go through the archives, it's amazing," Rider said. "Every organization held benefits of all types to benefit the 'Uplands Project,' everything from bake sales to dances to a symphony orchestra performance."

The project proved durable. Uplands continues to thrive today, currently as the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre, owned by the borough of Lennoxville but with significant considerations for the LAHMS, including archival and exhibition spaces on the second floor and ample storage space.

The Uplands purchase was the LAHMS' most significant achievement, but by no means its only one. The group also published two volumes of Lennoxville history (Volume 1 and Volume 2 in 1975 and 1981, respectively), contributed to other books on the subject, and championed a number of preservation projects.

PRESERVATION EFFORTS
"We worked towards preserving the Capelton bridge, the Huntingville Universalist Church, the Milby Schoolhouse, and putting up information plaques throughout Huntingville in partnership with the Municipality of Ascot," Rider said.

The LAHMS' success is due in no small part to its members - past and present. "Duncan Bruce was the mayor of Lennoxville during the Uplands purchase," Rider recalls. "Muriel Brand was a very influential member and President… she was our 'firebrand,' and after the Uplands purchase, those two and Joe McKercher were instrumental."

Other significant contributors to the LAHMS work have been Dick Evans, who often served as president and was a driving force behind many the LAHMS restoration and preservation projects, and Chris Ljungkull, who has been a dynamic force regarding the collection of objects in the museum.

VOLUNTEER WORK
Rider said that it's really the continual efforts of all the members that has made the organization so effective over its history. "Lots and lots of people have put in endless hours of time," she said. "And they're all volunteers. We get grants for projects, but 95% of what we do is volunteer work."

As the LAHMS nears its thirtieth anniversary, Rider encourages local residents of all ages and backgrounds to get involved with the Society and see what it has to offer. "People say that they are interested but don't have the necessary time to commit to the society. It's good that people have that attitude, that it takes a commitment, but I wish they would just join and get a taste.