A recent article described some of the difficulties many small historical societies are facing. The work that small historical societies do is essential to preserving our collective heritage, and so we are happy to see these challenges receiving media coverage. We hope that it will inspire some readers to visit, support or join their town’s historical society.

Unfortunately, we feel that the framing of the article may have given some readers the impression that the Greenwood Historical Society, which was briefly mentioned but not contacted for the article, is struggling just to survive. We want to reassure our community that this is not the case.

We are a small organization with a limited budget, but we are doing much more than just hanging on. Every year we put on a series of four or five fun, and usually well-attended, programs and host open houses on Saturdays throughout the summer. We published four books in the past decade and are continuing with a series of “neighborhood histories” written by our late founder Blaine Mills. We have extensive photograph collections, all very well organized and cataloged, and which we are partnering with the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society to bring online soon.

We extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to learn more about what we do, to donate, or to get involved. Those interested can find us on Facebook or at greenwoodhistorical.org.

Will Chapman, Trustee of the Greenwood Historical Society
Bethel

Andrew Wheeler, President of the Greenwood Historical Society
Greenwood