A large crowd filled the community room Thursday, December 4, for the Clay County Historical Society’s Annual Membership Meeting—an evening that highlighted another remarkable year of growth, recognition, and community impact.
The program opened with entertainment by the Kentucky School of Bluegrass & Traditional Music of Hazard Community and Technical College, whose performance set a lively tone for the event.
Historical Society President Mike White welcomed attendees and expressed his gratitude for the organization’s supporters.
“We want to thank all our members for their dedication, and we’re grateful to the Clay Public Library for allowing the Historical Society to be here,” White said.
Strong Financial Position
Treasurer Bonita Charles presented the annual financial report, which showed the Society in a strong and stable position. Over the past year, the organization funded numerous projects and completed several upgrades—many made possible by the continued success of book sales.
White praised Charles for her service and commitment.
“We are blessed to have Bonita in this role,” he said. “She serves many hours doing this work, and we simply couldn’t function without her.”
He added that the Society remains committed to investing in Clay County’s historical preservation.
“If we decide we want to do something, we do it,” White said with a smile. “We work a little backwards—first we decide to do it, then we find the money. Our mission is to make an investment in our community and promote the history of our county.”
Membership Reaches 536
Secretary LaBerta White reported that the Society now has 536 total members, including 213 Lifetime Members at $300 each. She noted the continued interest and support from people across the county and beyond.
During his President’s Report, White emphasized the strength of the organization.
“You are members of an organization with nearly 600 supporters. Other societies in adjoining counties have fewer than 100. We are blessed with members not only from home but from across 41 states. This speaks highly of how thriving your organization is.”
The Society earned two major honors in the past year:
• East Kentucky Leadership Award for Best Organization
• Kentucky Historical Society’s Organization of the Year
“We thank you for your support,” White said. “We are very honored and very thankful.”
2026 Slate of Officers Announced
The proposed slate of officers for 2026, as listed in the program booklet, includes:
Holiday Special and January Closures
A Christmas special was announced: The Clay We Were and Untold Clay bundled together for $75—a popular offering among local history enthusiasts.
The Society also shared that its offices and the museum will be closed during January to allow time for updates and upgrades to the facility.
A Night of Celebration
The evening concluded with a fantastic meal catered by Jennifer Begley, who received high praise from attendees for the quality of the food and service.
With nearly 600 members, a year filled with awards, strong financial footing, and continued community support, the Clay County Historical Society enters 2026 as one of the region’s most active and impactful historical organizations.
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