Weirs Beach, NH - The Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society of the Weirs has received a $2,162 grant from the Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund.  The grant has been used to purchase new seating in support of its educational programming.
  
Just in time to kick off the 2008 Winnipesaukee Wednesdays lecture series, 75 new folding chairs have been delivered to the historical society’s Lake Winnipesaukee Museum.  These vinyl upholstered chairs with padding on both the seat and back will provide comfortable seating for guests.  A storage rack to safely store the chairs while not in use was also purchased with the funds.

“Our community is fortunate that businesses such as the Meredith Village Savings Bank generously support our local nonprofits, as the bank does through its grant funding opportunity,” said Ann Sprague LWHS executive director.   “The new seating is an improvement to our programs as we continue to share the interesting history and heritage of Lake Winnipesaukee with the public.”  Sprague also indicated her appreciation to Proctor’s Lakehouse Cottages and Funspot for the loan of folding chairs over the past three years.

The new chairs will be in use at the next program on May 28th when Patricia Smith, Director of the Libby Museum, will give a presentation about this natural history museum in Wolfeboro, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society has received excellent response to its Winnipesaukee Wednesdays lecture series that concentrates on lake-related history; area museums and historical societies are invited to collaborate.  Initiated in October 2005, average attendance has been 48 guests, with record turnout of 72 for the presentation on “Center Harbor:  From Then ‘til Now” provided by Centre Harbor Historical Society’s Roger Kelley last October.
The Lake Winnipesaukee Museum is open all year Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  It is conveniently located on Route 3 (503 Endicott Street North) in the Weirs section of Laconia, between Meredith and Weirs Beach, next door to Funspot. Admission is free.  For a complete schedule of events, visit their website at LakeWinnipesaukeeMuseum.org.

The Lake Winnipesaukee Historical Society is a nonprofit organization established to preserve and promote the history and heritage of Lake Winnipesaukee and vicinity.  LWHS is actively seeking new members with special incentive gifts, along with regular membership benefits.  A $10 annual membership now through October 31, 2008, can help LWHS win $25,000 in a special challenge provided by the Finlay Foundation.

For further information on LWHS events, to sign up for membership, and learn of volunteer opportunities, please contact Ann Sprague at ann@lwhs.us, 603.366.5950, or visit their web site at LakeWinnipesaukeeMuseum.org.

The Meredith Village Savings Bank Fund was established in 1997 and has granted more than a quarter of a million dollars since its inception.  Grants are awarded annually.  Applications for the next set of grants are due by October 1, 2008.

Meredith Village Savings Bank is an independent mutual savings bank with 10 offices serving individuals, families, businesses, organizations and towns around Lake Winnipesaukee and the Plymouth area. MVSB has offices in Alton, Ashland, Gilford, Center Harbor, Laconia, Meredith, Moultonborough, and Plymouth. An eleventh office is scheduled to open in Wolfeboro in 2008. More information about the bank can be found at www.mvsb.com