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Lawler Historical Society

Take a walk back in time!
Hundreds of historical photos and artifacts! Lot’s of NEW displays!
L.H.S. at the Starlite Ballroom
(during the 2023 IRISH FEST)
Friday Evening June 16th
Saturday June 17th
Sunday Morning coffee & donuts June 18th

LHS’s MISSION and GOALS!
The Lawler Historical Society endeavors to establish a vital presence of Lawler’s history and culture for the benefit, enlightenment, and enjoyment of its residents, descendants, and visitors. To capture, preserve, promote, and present the history of the Lawler Community; past, present and future.

Why establish the LHS:
• A famous Lawler native, Bill Sheridan, has continued to keep the heart beat of Lawler in play through his rich and elaborate published writings.
• The Carnegie Cultural Center has been a depository of history for many towns with in Chickasaw County.
• Events such as the Lawler Irish Fest and RAGBRAI put Lawler back on the map! This Irish Fest has become a tradition for Lawler and the community, embracing heritage, creating a venue in bringing family and friends together near and far.
• A resurrection of Lawler’s history in the making. An early aspect of Irish Fest was the amazing displays of Lawler’s past.
• An ever growing interest over the years amongst individuals wanting to see the collecting and preserving of history. Through establishing and maintaining a physical and virtual gallery, LHS will exhibit collections of priceless artifacts, heirlooms, etc of historical importance and proudly present and promote the who, what, where and why of the Lawler Community for current and future generations.

LHS Goals:
• Downtown location – LHS envisions having a location that would facilitate displays and walkthrough viewing during festivities, special events and by appointment. Such a hard surface footprint may start small with growth opportunity. LHS is very fortunate to collaborate with Curt and Anita Franzen in utilizing the Starlite as an event location during the Lawler Irish Fest (2022 and 2023).
• The LHS Scrapbook – Will provide online virtual library of photos, articles and other information. Currently LHS is on Facebook and features weekly posts of historical interests.
• Books of Lawler Series – LHS will continue the successful ‘Books of Lawler Series’. To date the following books have been published “Team Pride. Team Spirit” (1st Edition 2014); “Main and Grove” (2nd Edition 2015); “Your Town Your History” (3rd Edition 2015). Next to come: Lawler Farming Community (2024/25).
• Collecting Artifacts – MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL To date, the contribution and collection of artifacts has been amazing in providing a foundation collection of historical memorabilia.

LHS Board:
Kurt Hemesath, Bonnie Kuehner, Verna Orvis, Kyle Kuehner, Nancy Cuvelier and Mary Burns. Like many of you, their family roots are deep within the Lawler community, and neither time nor distance has broken the bond.

LHS Welcomes Donations:
It is about the legacy of parents, grandparents, great grandparents, family and friends, who gave it their all in making Lawler a true and viable community. A time and place where settlers from various backgrounds and countries came here and through their perseverance, their love of land and country made it their “HOME”.
LHS endeavors not only to establish the means of a physical and visual history experience but to also provide a basis of the sensory aspect of Lawler’s history and its many family legacies with in its community.
Donations will be key to the success of the LHS. LHS graciously thanks those individuals, organizations and businesses to date that have supported and contributed in various respects, and anxiously await donation opportunities to come. Donations, in all forms, will be of great importance to the success of Lawler’s historical preservation for generations to come. LHS will work with donors in providing recognition for contributions.

Information: Please visit/contact us on Facebook – Lawler Historical Society
LHS was formed in March of 2020 and has 501(c)3 status from the Department of the Treasury effective March 23, 2020. Donors can deduct contributions they make to LHS under IRC Section 170. Tax ID #85-0532469.
Contact any one of the LHS Directors for donation opportunities, donation forms, and information.