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Spotlight on History
Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: 2019/06 - June
When we consider the story of Highlands, the slightly-unreal collection of personalities and events and circumstances embedded within its heritage, most of what we know is lore collected and preserved by the Highlands Historical Society.
And it turns out that the society itself is part of that lore. That’s why it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it was chosen as Hudson Library’s Non-Profit of the Month, complete with an expansive display opposite the Front Desk.
“Our aim was to showcase our involvement in the community as well as to educate the public about who we are, where we are located, and the buildings on the property,” says the society’s Fran Leftwich. “Through this display we are promoting our mission ‘preserving and promoting the rich heritage
of Highlands.’”
The library display is a considered assemblage of documents and photographs that illuminate this unlikely mountain town and her people.
“After hours discussing, deciding what to showcase, and visibility within the display to draw the viewer in, we have developed an extensive display,” says Leftwich.
The collection features the Elizabeth Wright House; the Historical Society Museum; the Old Jail; the new Lapham Highway Marker; Lapham/Bug Hill Tent House; Kelsey Kids Camp; “Highlands Answers the Call,” a preview of a new exhibit at the Museum with additional information on Highlands’ men and women who have served in the military; The Big Hats & Bow Ties fundraiser; The Dazzling Dahlia Festival; The Legends and Lore Marker commemorating the Moccasin War in Highlands by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation; and the Masa Exhibit being featured at The Bascom.
If that seems like a lot to cram into a display, well, that’s a lot of history found in a little mountain town.
Helping to assemble the display were President Obie Oakley, Artistic Director Chad Lucas, Photographic Editor Claude
Sullivan, and Leftwich.
