At the Lincoln County Historical Association’s annual meeting on Saturday evening, Nov. 8, president Ed Kavanagh thanked volunteers for their tireless efforts in promoting the goals of the organization this year.

The combination meeting and social gathering filled the spacious Benjamin Brown House on High Street with the sounds of merry laughter that surely signal the beginning of a joyous winter season.

Kavanagh reminded the group of the volunteer hours put in by docents at each of LCHA’s sites: the Pownalborough Court House in Dresden; the Museum and Old Jail in Wiscasset; and the Chapman-Hall House in Damariscotta.

The docents spent at least one or two afternoons each month guiding tours and maintaining the appearance of the buildings. They also served on the stewardship committees, attending to more intense preservation projects.

Kavanagh also introduced Louise Miller as the group’s first education coordinator. Miller is developing an interactive local history program for elementary schools.

Three major events were held in the course of the year in addition to LCHA’s annual Winter Lecture Series in February. In June, a textile symposium developed by Merry Fossel and Perry Palmer was held at the Pownalborough Court House. It proved to be so successful that the participants, who attended from throughout the country, asked for another similar gathering.

In July, the stewardship committee of the Chapman-Hall House sponsored an exhibit of Jake Day art at Round Top Farm that netted $2,500.

In October, under the leadership of Merry Fossel, representatives from historical societies throughout Lincoln County coordinated the second annual Gathering of Historical Societies to discuss mutual challenges.

During the business portion of the meeting, officers for 2015 were elected. They are: Ed Kavanagh, president; Merry Fossel, vice president, Christine Hopf-Lovette, secretary; and Bobbi Brewer, treasurer. Four new trustees joined the board: Neil Cavanaugh, Bill Danielson, Dale Hinote and Linda Levenson.

For more information, visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org or Lincoln County Historical Association (Maine) on Facebook.