Mission/Purpose

  • The purpose of the Maytown Historical Society is to develop and maintain a continuing, written history of Maytown and East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
  • To seek, acquire/loan and preserve all documents, artifacts and other mementos which exemplify lifestyles and or events of historical significance.
  • To research, classify and document pertinent information on buildings and to promote the preservation, restoration and registry of such buildings.
  • To determine the role of Maytown and East Donegal Township in world, national, regional and adjoining area history.
  • To present programs and events which will be informational, educational and interesting to the members and general public.
  • To advocate for government policies, ordinances and laws that preserve our historic buildings, farmland and community character.

Constitution

ARTICLE I – Name

The name of the organization is the Maytown Historical Society.

ARTICLE II – Purposes

A. To develop and maintain a continuing, written history of Maytown and East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

B. To seek, acquire/loan and preserve all documents, artifacts and other mementos which exemplify lifestyles and/or events of historical significance.

C. To research, classify and document pertinent information on buildings and to promote the preservation, restoration and registry of such buildings.

D. To determine the role of Maytown and East Donegal Township in world, national, regional and adjoining area history.

E. To cooperate with other historical societies and preservation organizations for mutual benefit and support and to carry out the purposes of the society.

F. To establish a permanent site for the storage, protection, preservation and display of property of the Society, or material on loan to the Society.

G. To present programs and events which will be informational, educational and interesting to the members and the general public.

H. The Society in no manner contributes to the pecuniary gain or profit of any of its members.

I. To advocate for government policies, ordinances and laws that preserve our historic buildings, farmland and community character.

ARTICLE III – Membership

A. Membership in the Society shall be open to all persons who desire to serve and further the stated purposes of the Society and to pay the required dues in an amount and manner as prescribed in the By laws of the Society.

B. Categories or classes of membership shall be delineated in the By laws of the Society.

ARTICLE IV – Organization

A. An organizational structure to fulfill the stated purposes of the Society shall be described in the By laws.

B. To generate or acquire funds to assist in carrying out the purposes of the Society.

ARTICLE V – Amendments

A. This constitution may be amended as follows:

1. By laws may be adopted which are not in conflict with the constitution.

2. Proposed amendments to this constitution must be made available to the Society members in writing and distributed in at least two (2) consecutive general meetings of the Society immediately prior to the meeting at which the voting is to take place.

ARTICLE VI – Dissolution

A. Upon the dissolution of the corporation the Executive Board shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of the corporation, dispose of all of the assets of the corporation exclusively for the purpose of the corporation in such manner, or to such organization or organizations organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board of Directors shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the Court in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Donations

Since the Maytown Historical Society is a non-profit organization, donations of artifacts may be deducted from income taxes at their appraised value—just as cash donations to the Society may be deducted. If you have questions about this, or are contemplating making a donation, please feel free to contact us.

Old family photos, histories, diaries, deeds, maps and other documents will be accepted, along with artifacts and materials from citizens, businesses, schools, churches, political parties and other organizations—insofar as the items relate to the Maytown/East Donegal Township Community

Membership

Membership in the Society shall be open to all persons who desire to serve and further the stated purposes of the Society and to pay the required dues in an amount and manner as prescribed in the By-laws of the Society. The membership shall consist of the following classes:

  • Resident Members – Members who are residents of East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
  • Nonresident Members – Members who are not residents of East Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

Members of the society are entitled to vote at business meetings and hold office (if local residents as specified by the MHS Constitution and by-laws). Members also receive, a subscription to the “Maytonian”, the Society’s newsletter, which is published several times a year.

  • Membership year runs from May 1 to April 30 annually
  • Resident and nonresident member dues are $10.00 per year
  • Life memberships are available at $50.00 per person

Museum Info

In 2002 the Society took a bold and significant step: we saw the realization of a 17-year dream, by purchasing a site for our museum. This log structure may be the oldest structure in the village, likely dating from 1760.

This log house was erected by or for Jacob Downer to attract residents for the village of Maytown, on land he located on the “Great Road West” when this was the path to America’s Western frontier.

The original building was constructed in the classic German style with three rooms on the first floor, a kitchen with fireplace, a meeting room and a bedroom. Below was a dirt walled basement and above an open attic. Another room was soon added at the eastern wall to support a business.