CALL TO ACTION

In order to meet the needs outlined in this

brochure, we are contacting local businesses, community leaders and our membership who have always had a heart not
only for Highland County Historical Society,
but also for the preservation and dissemination of Highland County history, whether
they live near or far. We are asking for support to help us plan for the future. Highland County Historical Society celebrates
FIFTY YEARS in 2015. This seemed like an
excellent time to bring all of our work together and build for the future. We are relying on your help!
We ask you to consider joining the
Board of Trustees in helping to fund our
Capital Campaign. Please see the enclosed
Pledge Form and especially the area providing contact information should you have
questions for our Campaign Committee.
We call your attention to the information
about the SOCIETY OF ANGELS. Perhaps
you would prefer to help in this manner.

Your opportunity to make a

sustaining contribution

During 2014, the Highland County Historical

Society Board of Trustees created and authorized the development of a capital campaign
for the Society. This included:
1. the needed construction and upgrades for
Highland House and Scott House
2. the creation of a Building and Grounds
Fund to manage the maintenance and upkeep for all of the Societys properties
3. the creation of an Endowment Fund for
the Society.

WHY?

BUILDING
AND
ENDOWMENT
CAPITAL
CAMPAIGN

Why is a Capital Campaign needed? Why an

Endowment Fund? The oldest portion of Highland House was completed in 1844, making
the structure 170 years old in 2014. The addition, the newer portion of the structure in
which the Pioneer Hallway, Museum Shop and
Meeting Room are located, was added later.
The foundation created for that portion has
begun to fail, leading to the beginning of failure of the back wall.

Highland County
Historical Society

Scott House, our third and most recently acquired structure, is in need of upgrades to the
facility to make it more attractive to renters.
The external trim is in need of major work.

We hope you will find it in your heart and

your means to join us in our plans for providing a solid future for Highland County
Historical Societyabout to begin our next
50 years!
HCHS Building and Endowment Fund
PO Box 984
Hillsboro OH 45133
513-393-3392
hchistoricalsociety@gmail.com
www.hchistoricalsociety.weebly.com

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Our second structure,

the Log Cabin, is in good
condition. Minor repair is
needed to some of the
chinking, but all other
features of the structure
are in good repair.

This brief synopsis of the state of repair on

our holdings makes it clear that provisions
must be made not only for current and
pressing needs, but also to begin looking
forward to providing the next generation
the means to continue maintaining holdings
in order to preserve and protect the history
of Hillsboro and Highland County.
We find that in planning for our future by
venturing into a Capital Campaign and the
creation of an Endowment Fund, we are
putting into place the means to handle crises as they may
The greatest
arise.

thing this

We hosted visitors from many

generation can
states, literally
do is lay a few
from coast to
coast, throughstepping stones
out the 2014
tourist season.
for the next
We also entertained first-time
generation.
visitors from
-Charles F. Kettering
within a stones
throw of Highland House. In all, well over
1,600 people visited us this year. Comments from our visitors have been very
positive.

HCHS is doing a great job of preserving and

displaying our local history in an engaging
and interesting manner. It is always nice to
get an attaboy from visitors. But we cannot rest on our laurels and past accomplish-

Just what is wrong with the

back wall?
ments. We must continue to grow and seek
out new and creative ways to find, collect
and share local history.
ENDOWMENT FUND
Exactly what is an endowment fund? An
endowment is defined as funds or property donated to an institution, individual or
group as a source of income. In other
words, funds endowed are monies that cannot be spentthey are donated as a source
of income. Funds are typically invested and
only the income and growth from those
funds can be used for the operations or
other needs of the group. This ensures that
the body of funds remains in place in perpetuity. By the creation of an Endowment
Fund, we are assuring that there will always
be income for the Society.
OPERATIONS & PROGRAMMING
The day to day operations of a museum and
historic structures require a significant
amount of funds. Utilities, security, maintenance, general upkeep and cleaning are but
a few of the items which require money.
We have a director who is paid for her services. This past summer we had interns
from Miami University who performed
many duties without pay, however, we reimbursed expenses for their travel to and
from Hillsboro as well as paid for their
meals. We belong to organizations appropriate for museums of our type.

Good stewardship of funds is utmost in our

minds. Written into our bylaws are safeguards
concerning expendituresi.e., who is able to
spend funds of differing levels as well as oversight of these expenditures.
What are our current forms of income? We do
not charge admission to our museum, but
rather depend on donations of those visiting.
Membership dues of those belonging to HCHS
are a primary source of income. Currently we
also rely on the income of our investments,
but occasionally have had to withdraw from
the principal which, in turn, lowers future
earnings.
Earlier in the
year, we made
a commitment
to increase the
viability of our
MUSEUM SHOP
and bring it up
to a higher
standard and
become the
g0-to place
for books, maps and other materials related to
local history. Our director attends meetings at
the state level and is always on the outlook for
grants and other funding possibilities as well
as networking possibilities. We are continually
working hard to better HCHS and Highland
House Museum.

The current meeting room and the Pioneer

Hall as well as the areas above them on the
second floor, were added to the building in
the late 1800s. The foundation has begun to
fail, resulting in the wall held up by that
foundation also failing. After assessing the
deterioration and consulting with contractors
who are qualified and experienced in this
level of historic preservation, the following
measures are what is needed:
1. Remove the south wall from foundation
to roof line and preserve the bricks;
2. Secure the exposed section from weather
and unauthorized entry;
3. Construct a new foundation;
4. Construct a new structure to secure the
outer wall to the rest of the building;
5. Reconstruct the outer wall from the
cleaned original bricks to maintain visual
and historical integrity.
The bids for this work are in the $70,000
range (depending upon any problems
encountered during the work). In accordance
with the By-Laws of the Society, this
expenditure was presented, voted on and
passed by the General Membership of the
Society.

THE BUDGET-2014
The first full year under the reorganized
board is nearing an end. Basing our budget
on the best available information, the
board of trustees adopted a working document from which to grow. So, how are we
doing?
We projected income for the year of
$36,330. At the end of November, our income was at 134% of that figure, or $48,818.
Expenses projected for the year were expected to be $34,983 and at the end of November we were at $40,040 , or 114%. Our
primary dues collecting months as well as
primary months for income from the Museum Shop are November and December,
so our income for the year will see an increase when December figures are included.
That being said, the amount of income over
expenses, while admirable, certainly is not
of the amount on which to begin to build a
tomorrow. To accomplish the level of security we need, we must raise the capital we
will need not only for the back wall restoration, but also to meet any unexpected
emergencies and to
have a stable income
for day-today operations.