American Rescue Plan Grant

Funding has been provided to the Lemon Bay Historical Society by Florida Humanities through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) of 2021. NEH is committed to Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan.

Due to the pandemic, the Lemon Bay Historical Society had to cancel its traditional monthly community programs. Fundraising events were also canceled. The Society is responsible for maintaining the historic Green Street Church building and its property.

To help fund general operating expenses, the Historical Society has received a $2,500 “American Rescue Plan” grant from Florida Humanities. These expenses include lawn mowing, water, electricity, landscaping maintenance, insurance, taxes, building upkeep, etc.

OUR MISSION
In 1985, the Lemon Bay Historical Society was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization whose mission was “for the specific purposes of perpetuating the legacy of the past and honoring the pioneer settlers of the Lemon Bay area.”  To carry out this mission the Society:

  • Presents programs on history, archaeology, music, wildlife and historical preservation
  • Schedules talks about and reenactments of persons of local historical interest
  • Invites local authors who write about historical events to discuss their works
  • Publishes and sells books on local history, Englewood pioneers and local lore
  • Maintains the Historic Green Street Church building for community use

WHAT IS THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN?

This year Florida Humanities awarded 129 organizations a total of $1.88 million in “American Rescue Plan” (ARP) funding, helping to retain more than 400 humanities jobs, support rent and utility costs, implement technology needs and more for small to midsize organizations.

When the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act was passed by Congress on March 11, 2021, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) received $135 million to assist humanities organizations across the country affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The state humanities councils, including Florida Humanities, each received a portion of the NEH award to provide short term general operating support in their respective states to museums, archives, historic sites, and other humanities-focused nonprofits.

WHAT IS THE NEH?
On September 29, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act into law. This law created the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). The purpose of the NEH is to advance the humanities and its respective disciplines into the public square.
The NEH soon realized the immense challenge of its mission. To respond more effectively to local needs, the NEH decided to establish a humanities council in every state, plus six U.S. territories. Florida Humanities was established in 1973.

WHAT DOES FLORIDA HUMANITIES DO?
Florida Humanities works with local humanities organizations to accomplish its mission. This includes libraries, museums, and historical societies, among others. Like the Lemon Bay Historical Society, many of these organizations are committed to their communities and rely on volunteers and limited funding to sustain their operations.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by the Lemon Bay Historical Society, do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

MEMBERSHIP
The Lemon Bay Historical Society welcomes new members. You do not need to be a historian to join, just someone interested in preserving the history of Englewood. For information visit: https://lemonbayhistory.com/about-us/