NEWS: For IMMEDIATE USE

Contact: Charlotte Sellers, Jackson County Historian
812-522-3412 x256 (library)

HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES VOTE TO MERGE

Members of the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical societies voted by an overwhelming majority Sunday, April 19, to merge into a new organization to save and share stories and artifacts of the area’s past.

Paperwork for a new tax-exempt organization is expected to be completed no later than the end of the current year. Meanwhile, individuals can continue to submit dues to the respective organizations which will continue to operate until the transition is complete. Many individuals already are members of both societies.

Both the Jackson County Historical Society and the Jackson County Genealogical Society now have facilities in the county seat at Brownstown. A committee with representatives of both organizations has met during the past year to discuss common interests before asking members to vote on the merger.

Economies from the merger are expected to foster more programming and exhibits to tell the stories of communities and families as well as provide improved facilities for research. Volunteers will continue to operate both facilities for the time being and phase in the merger. A major fund-raising effort is expected for the new organization.

The JCGS President Gloria Sue Cross and the JCHS President Raymond Bachmann said they believe a larger and stronger organization will offer more opportunities for involvement with and from the county and the communities whose history is the focus of the current groups.