It’s been a well house, a police station, and a food pantry. And now, the squat white and maroon building on the northern end of downtown Lakeview teaches visitors about the area’s past.  

It has been doing even more of that since a 2023 Lakeview Area Community Fund (LACF) grant that supported building updates and improved preservation. 

Sharon Youngman, president of the Lakeview Area Museum Board, said upgrades made to the museum have attracted more interest to their mission and offerings. “Our museum functions solely on donations, so the grants are much appreciated,” she said. “The community has shown more interest in what we have to offer as we continue to make improvements.” 

She said the grant paid for the renovation of showcases, with displays being made easier to read and view. They’ve also seen an uptick in individual requests for assistance. “We have been able to provide information for those who want to know more about a past citizen, business, or school history,” Youngman said. “Many people of the community and beyond find history of the area very interesting.” 

Included in the funded updates was the purchase of storage systems to keep items safe, new windows and blinds, a secure front door, and an accessible sidewalk, overall making the building more energy efficient and better equipped to collect and display historical items.  

The museum, which opened in 1996, is volunteer-run and aims to preserve and share the history of the town’s past logging, farming, schools, organizations, recreation, and home life. It is now a mission made easier with the grant’s support through the LACF, an affiliate with the Greenville Area Community Foundation.   

As GACF celebrates its 35th anniversary, we bring together the collective stories of donors, nonprofits, students, and community members to demonstrate the power of philanthropy in creating lasting impact and a stronger future.