History
Starts
with You!
History is three-fold. It involves preserving the past, embracing the present, and shaping the future. At the Lorain Historical Society, we see You in every phase.
Your generous support of our efforts has helped us emerge as a strong community leader—one that collaborates with others about the past, present, and future of the City of Lorain. A collective commitment to achieve our fundraising goals from dedicated donors like You, will go a long way in furthering our mission.
Endowment Fund
45th Anniversary
Endowment Gift
As we celebrate 45 years of preserving and sharing our community’s story, your support of the Lorain Historical Society Endowment Fund helps ensure that this important work continues for generations to come.
Gifts like yours provide lasting stability, allowing the Society to grow, adapt, and serve Lorain with purpose well into the future. We are deeply grateful for your belief in our mission and invite others to join in securing a strong and vibrant next chapter.​​
2026 Annual Fund
Donate to our Annual Fund
The impact YOU have had on our organization cannot be minimized. Without the tremendous response from our growing group of community supporters, we couldn’t have weathered the economic storm that challenged us throughout the COVID pandemic. A collective commitment to achieve our fundraising goals from dedicated donors like YOU will go a long way in furthering our mission. Nothing we have accomplished over the last 45 years has been done alone.
Membership & Legacy Society
Join the 1903 Legacy Society
One historical gift, transformation for a lifetime.
The 1903 Legacy Society, named for the year the cornerstone was laid at the Carnegie Center, acknowledges individuals and families who have given The Lorain Historical Society the highest compliment – including the organization in their estate plans. Planned gifts, or gifts to the Endowment fund, from these committed supporters provide a critical foundation for history education and preservation that will extend beyond their lifetimes.
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When you leave a legacy gift, it shows your commitment to the betterment of our community, the preservation of our history, and the opportunity for future generations to explore our rich past.
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Membership in the 1903 Legacy Society is open to individuals who designate a gift of $10,000 or more to The Lorain Historical Society through a will, trust or other planned gift. Additionally, individuals who make an outright gift of $10,000 or more to the Endowment Fund are also invited to join.
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Legacy Society donors enjoy the benefits of a planned gift today, with the knowledge that their foresighted donation will make a difference for future generations.
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We hope you will contact us if you have already designated an estate gift to The Lorain Historical Society so that we might appropriately recognize and thank you for your generosity. Sadly, too often we learn about a gift when it is too late to say thank you.
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For more information about the 1903 Legacy Society please contact Executive Director, Barb Piscopo at bpiscopo@lorainhistory.org or call 440-245-2563 Ext. 2.
Memorial and Tribute Fund
Give a Memorial or Tribute Gift
You can also make a donation to our Endowment Fund when honoring a family member or friend through a memorial or tribute donation. These gifts last beyond a one-time donation and are a great way to honor someone you care about by leaving a lasting legacy in their name.
A message from our Executive Director...
Barb Piscopo
Each year, your contributions to our Annual Fund quite literally “keep the lights on”—ensuring that our historic properties are maintained, our doors remain open, and our organization continues to operate. But your generosity does so much more than sustain us. It empowers us to bring history to life in ways that engage, educate, and inspire.
Because of you, we are able to offer the programs that have become hallmarks of our work in the community. Initiatives such as Latino Lorain, Lorain Community Stories, the Lorain Black History Archives, Teaching Lorain, and the Lorain Early Learning Initiative are not just programs—they are pathways for people of all ages to see themselves in the story of our city. They foster pride, connection, and a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences that have shaped Lorain.
Our Supporters
Lakeland
Community Foundation
Alyce J & Ann J Metka Charitable Foundation
The Norton Family Foundation
African American Community Fund
Hispanic Fund
