About

The mission of the Leland Historical Society is to collect, preserve, and provide a repository of artifacts and historical records relating to the Leland area as a legacy for future generations.

Description

The Leland Historical Society is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization with membership open to all. LHS operates the Leland Area History Center at 205 N. Main Street–upper. The Leland Historical Society welcomes visitors and researchers to explore the growing holdings of documents, photographs, and artifacts relating to Leland and surrounding areas.

History of organization

The desire to obtain six watercolor paintings of Leland from a bank that closed in 2019 lit the fire that culminated in forming the Leland Historical Society. In May 2019 a handful of long-time residents passionate about Leland, founded in 1853 as the village of Whitfield, formed a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that began preserving Leland’s heritage and history.

Resource Bank, known for its community spirit and support of local history, jumped on the bandwagon. LHS was offered a home in the new Resource Bank building, the historic Yocklich building at Main and North Streets. Boy Scout Ethan Eckman jumped in with an Eagle Scout project to collect historic photographs of Leland and its residents and the race was on to save remnants of Leland area history.

Since opening the Leland Area History Center on the second floor of Resource Bank in October 2021, the all-volunteer organization has been busy accessioning articles that have been donated, developing rotating exhibits in the exhibit hall, and providing events and historical programs for the general public.