It’s not that we’re being selfish, it’s just that the History Center is a private library with holdings that are unique and priceless in terms of replacement value – there are no replacements or copies for much of what is in the collections.   How do you replace the scrapbook compiled by Dr. Phrania Chesbrough, first woman physician of Lake County? Or where is another copy of Charles Lyman’s amazing scrapbook filled with his own illustrations? How do you replace a book that comes from the home library of the late Judge Charles Baker? Or a journal kept by Frances Jennings Casement?

What do you get from an appointment at the History Center Library? When you call in advance to make the appointment, the Collections Staff or Volunteers will do preliminary research and have related items from the collection available at the time of the appointment as well as be available to assist with further research. At the time of the appointment, you will be seated at a work station with access to a computer. Collections Staff or Volunteers will assist you in using the library database to conduct keyword searches of our holdings.

The LCHS holds approximately 3000 surname files or boxes in its Genealogy Room, has over 10,000 photographs that are digitized and available to view on a computer screen, has hundreds of period maps, has old telephone directories, and has a research library of reference books covering local city and township histories, Lake County histories, Ohio county histories, and many other state histories such as those of Connecticut and New York where many of the Western Reserve settlers came from.

The fee, you ask? Why the fee? The Lake County Historical Society operates through funds raised by membership dues, donations, revenue from events, and fees for services. The LCHS isn’t a county entity; it is a private, non-profit organization.

The LCHS invites you to do your research in its library, and we welcome the chance to assist you personally. Just call ahead (440-639-2945), let us know what you are researching, and set an appointment to come view our holdings.