SUPPORT US

TO JOIN

You may join by stopping by the Historical Society front desk or by downloading and mailing a completed membership form (PDF requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) with check or money order.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• Journal of the Lancaster County Historical Society
• The Historian, newsletter of the Lancaster County Historical Society
• 10% discount on bookstore purchases
• Unlimited use of the library and archives
• Discounts on research trips and educational programs

The Lancaster County Historical Society welcomes all who wish to help support the work of the historical society to become members. Listed below are levels of support:

Individual - $40
Family - $50
Contributor - $75
Benefactor - $100
Sustainer - $250
Director’s Circle - $500
President’s Circle - $1000
Historian’s Circle - $5000 (life membership)

Admission

Members enjoy free unlimited use of our library and archives. Non-members who wish to use the facilities are charged a $5 per day fee. We do not charge admission for primary, secondary and college students.

Planned Giving Program

The Lancaster County Historical Society’s Planned Giving Program is designed to provide our members and friends with information and opportunities to arrange future gifts that meet each donor’s needs. Example: if a donor/spouse desires a lifetime income, several Lancaster County Historical Society Planned Gifts can meet this need. Or, if the donor desires a larger charitable contribution deduction and reduced income taxes, this can be achieved. Of course, all of these benefits, as well as reduced capital gains taxes, are available to Planned Gift donors through a number of our planned gift arrangements.

Where the need is greatest

The majority of planned gift donors indicate that when their gift becomes available to the historical society, it should be used “where the need is the greatest.”

The Endowment Fund

Others designate their planned gift for the Endowment Fund. This fund is permanently invested and only the interest earned is available for use by the Historical Society. This is one of several ways that an individual may establish a permanent and meaningful memorial to provide future services by the Lancaster County Historical Society.

Planned Gift Opportunities

Many Planned Gift arrangements are available for members and friends who wish to consider a gift of future interest to the Lancaster County Historical Society.

All prospective donors of Planned Gifts will be encouraged to discuss their plans with their family, accountant, attorney, or other financial advisor.

Following are several of these arrangements:

Wills/Bequests
Your will is an expression of your personal values. Bequests may be designated when writing a new will or adding a codicil (amendment) to an existing will. Naming the “Lancaster County Historical Society, Lancaster County, PA” as an outright, contingent, or residual beneficiary offers the donor all the rights of enjoyment of the intended gift during lifetime. Advantages: estate tax deduction; bequests may be altered any time; can assure that “annual giving” to the Lancaster County Historical Society will continue.

Charitable Gift Annuities
Establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity with the Lancaster County Historical Society provides the donor with an assured lifetime income. This annual income for life is based on the donor’s age at the time of the gift. The donor receives a current year income tax charitable contribution deduction (with a five-year carry over) and may avoid some capital gains taxes. Gift annuities may be funded with cash or securities. Advantages: income for life—at guaranteed rates for one or two lives; tax savings—a large part of what you transfer is a deductible charitable gift and a portion of each payment to the donor is tax free; capital gains tax savings—when you contribute securities for a gift annuity, you minimize capital gains taxes. ($5,000 is a typical minimum gift annuity amount.)

Life Insurance
A gift of an “old” life insurance policy can provide the donor with a current year income tax charitable contribution deduction. A “new” insurance policy gift, with the Lancaster County Historical Society as owner and beneficiary, offers the donor an income tax deduction for all premium payments which are gifted to the Lancaster County historical Society.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
Charitable remainder unitrusts provide donors with a current year charitable contribution deduction, an annual income to the beneficiary (at least 5% reevaluated annually), capital gains tax savings, a possible hedge against inflation and the ability to add to the unitrust in future years. ($25,000 is a typical annuity trust minimum amount.)

Other Planned Gifts Available Include:

• Revocable Charitable Remainder Trusts
• Retained Life Estates
• Charitable Lead Trusts

To discuss these very special opportunities contact Thomas R. Ryan, Executive Director of the Lancaster County Historical Society, to confidentially discuss your personal needs and interests and the role that the Historical Society can play in meeting your wishes.