History Society’s Lawson: Capitalizing on Digital Channels

William Lawson, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Historical Society, is coming back strong. You can read more about the society at its website.

What are some ways the COVID-19 outbreak has affected your organization, and how is it rebounding?

The board and staff of Mahoning Valley Historical Society had long planned to improve and expand the organization’s online, virtual and distance learning programs.  After Tyler History Center and Arms Family Museum closed in md-March, those plans became top priorities for MVHS to continue to reach our audiences. Since then our staff and consultants have done great work; they converted three existing programs and series, and produced three new ones — a blogsite, a bi-weekly artifact study series and history programs and projects for the home — for public access on the MVHS website and social media pages.  In July and August, MVHS reopened Tyler History Center and Arms Family Museum for limited hours and with strict protocols.  MVHS is financially stable so far, thanks to continuing generous support from our membership, individuals and foundations and the Paycheck Protection Program.  We have a big challenge in the near future to compensate and adjust for significant revenue losses from cancellation of almost all in-person programs, events and sales through the end of 2020.

How has the outbreak affected your personal life?

My wife and I are very cautious about social interactions, for our sake and, more importantly, for the sake of my mother and mother-in-law.  Both are living independently but require our help, and they both have medical conditions and are of an age to make them vulnerable. Over the summer we were fortunate to spend a lot of time at our campsite on Guilford Lake in Columbiana County, giving us a change of scenery and opportunities to walk, swim, paddle around in kayaks and think and talk about things beyond day-to-day concerns at home and work.  Otherwise, we are homebodies except for grocery shopping and the occasional visit to the pharmacy or hardware store, or a drive in the country.  I attend Rotary Club of Youngstown weekly meetings remotely as often as possible.  The handful of small family gatherings we’ve had over the past summer were outdoors.

What steps are you taking to come back strong?

Professionally, we at MVHS are watching the budget very carefully, monitoring our buildings and collections storage areas, and looking for ways to expand and improve upon reaching and teaching our audiences about the Mahoning Valley’s history.  Also, we are continuing to plan for and work on initiatives that will improve our operations and eventually expand our facilities to meet future needs and expectations.  Personally, I’m trying to be conscious of balancing work and rest, monitoring my health, staying connected to family and friends (I could do better) and helping to support our faith community from a distance.  Supporting others in our community through charitable giving and buying services and take-out meals is important, too.

What advice are you sharing with the people you love?

Regarding the pandemic and being personally responsible for not spreading the Coronavirus, I take advice cues from my sister, who is an epidemiologist for a city/county health department elsewhere in Ohio.  We’re all frustrated, and bored, and fearful, and uncertain about the future more than usual.  But we need to take care of ourselves, and the people closest to us, and complete strangers that we encounter during this very real and dangerous global health crisis.