Members of the Lincoln County Historical and Genealogical Society plan to cram a lot of activities into their one-hour open house this year.

The event will be held from 2-3 p.m. Dec. 4 at the museum at 127 South Church Street. During the festivities, members will reveal the first of a series of commemorative LCHGS Christmas ornaments, introduce the newest board members and give away a queen-sized, handmade quilt to the winning ticket holder.

Along with all that, light refreshments will be served.

Only 100 of the 3-inch ceramic ornaments will be available for sale and each will be hand numbered, said LCHGS member Tammie Brewer. The ornament will feature a recent photograph of the Warren Avenue Bridge, which was torn down earlier this year.

“The bridge was built in 1903 and will feature that date and the date it was torn down, 2016,” she said.

The ornaments, which come with a velvet pouch and a ribbon hanger, will be sold for $20 each.

“We hope to make this an annual event with a different historical place in Lincoln County on an ornament each year,” she said.

Raffle tickets for the quilt have been sold through the summer, at the LCGHS rummage sale and at the society’s booth at the Ole Brook Festival. Only a few chances remain to purchase tickets, which are $1 each. Tickets are available from any board member or at the museum on Tuesday or Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. They will also be sold up until the time of the drawing.

Lincoln Countian Annie Sue Case handmade the quilt.

“She has over 300 hours of sewing and embroidery in the quilt,” Brewer said. “She donated the quilt to the museum to help us raise money.”

The quilt is in a star pattern, with blue stars embroidered on the white quilt. 

“We appreciate Mrs. Case donating her time and this quilt to help us raise funds for the museum and historical society,” Brewer said. “Every dollar donated helps us keep the museum open.”

 All money raised or donated is used for the historical society or museum projects, she said. The museum was hit with some budget cuts this year and is relying heavily on donations and fundraisers to keep the doors open.

“The Lincoln County Supervisors have always been generous to help us out each year with funding,” she said. “This year they were forced to cut funding for numerous groups, including the museum. Day-to-day costs at the museum are utilities and upkeep. Our biggest lump expense each year is the insurance on our building, which is nearly $4,000.”

Volunteers are also needed to work four hours each month on a Tuesday or Thursday. To volunteer, call Brewer at 601-835-5697.