About Us
The Lexington Lyceum
Vision
We envision a community gathering space that connects our past to our present, promotes democracy and justice, and bridges divisions through the respectful exchange of ideas.
Mission
Our mission is to build a modern Lexington Lyceum and History Learning Center at the renovated Stone Building, honoring its rich history while exploring connections to contemporary social justice.
We will create an inclusive and intercultural space in the revitalized Stone Building through interactive displays and workshops, community events, and outreach.
News
LLA Wins Community Endowment of Lexington Grant
The Lexington Lyceum Advocates (LLA) has been awarded an $8,000 grant for strategic planning by the Community Endowment of Lexington (CEL), an endowed fund of the Foundation for MetroWest.
LLA president Mark Manasas commented, “We are honored to have the support of the CEL, which plays such a vital part in supporting Lexington’s community. This grant will enable us to set priorities, make effective decisions, and build broad-based support for reviving the Ellen Stone Building. We’re looking forward to building a stronger, financially sustainable modern lyceum, history center, and community space in one of Lexington’s architectural treasures.”
The LLA is currently interviewing consultants to lead their strategic planning.
The Community Endowment of Lexington enhances the quality of life for Lexington citizens. CEL, an endowed fund of the Foundation for MetroWest, awards grants to nonprofits and town agencies working in the areas of health and human services, arts and culture, the environment, and community building; provides ways for donors to give back and leave a legacy; and encourages innovative and collaborative solutions to issues facing Lexington, MA.
Our Board
Mark Manasas – President
Mark’s background is in building and leading engineering teams developing novel medical devices.
Mark is also on the board of LexFarm and Lexington Zero Waste. He served on the Stone Building Feasibility & Reuse Committee and is a Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member.
Janel Showalter – Vice President
She supports communications and manages web content for a large Federal agency. She became involved in efforts to restore and reimagine the Stone Building through Lexington’s Dismantling Racism in Our Town program.
Cristina Burwell – Clerk
Cristina and her family have been part of the East Lexington, Waldorf School and Follen Church communities since 1996. Cristina has chaired the Lexington Council for the Arts, and was an editor for the Town Report before her current position as Executive Director for the Munroe Center for the Arts. She was Clerk of the Stone Building Feasibility & Reuse Committee.
Meg Muckenhoupt – Treasurer
She is a writer and editor focusing on New England history and land use. She served as a liaison to the Stone Building Feasibility & Reuse Committee, and is a Precinct 1 Town Meeting Member.
Elizabeth Xu – Director
Elizabeth is a computational chemist, software engineer, freelance writer & editor, and dedicated volunteer. She works passionately to preserve Asian cultural heritage and introduce Western culture to Asian communities. Her focus is to enrich the cultural landscape, making a positive impact on both Asian immigrants and the broader US communities through collaboration and cultural celebration.
Rosemary Trowbridge – Director
Rosemary served as a national board member of the National Organization for Women. She was part of the lobbying team for the 1989 Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Civil Rights Bill and was a trainer for MA Dept of Education’s Safe Schools Program for GLBT Students. She serves on the board of The Veteran Feminists of America. She is a member of Follen Church, where she served as president.
Carolyn Goldstein – Director
An historian of American technology and consumer culture, she coordinates the statewide Mass Memories Road Show program and teaches public history at UMass Boston. She served on the Stone Building Feasibility & Reuse Committee and is a Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member.
Kathleen Dalton – Director
A biographer and public historian, she is the author of Theodore Roosevelt: A Strenuous Life (2002). She has worked as a history teacher, a professor, and as a public history consultant with the National Park Service and the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Sabine Clark – Director
Sabine became involved with Lexington Lyceum Advocates after participating in the ‘Dismantling Racism in our Town’ program. She co-chairs First Parish Lexington’s Racial Justice Team, and volunteers for events and communications at LexFarm. After a career in software sales and marketing, she spent five years as a co-owner/operator of a small retail shop in Lexington center.
Volunteers
Anne Grady
Is an architectural historian specializing in Historic Structure Reports and dendrochronology. She was an author of the 2009 Stone Building Report. Her current research focus is slavery in 18th c. Lexington. She is a member of the Follen Church and has lived in Lexington since 1965. She served on the Stone Building Feasibility & Reuse Committee
Dr. Jeff Howry
Has worked in real estate finance and historic preservation including historic property inventories, record documentation, and archaeology. He chaired the Stone Building Feasibility / Reuse Committee, and is leading the effort to nominate the Stone Building as a National Historic Landmark.
Margaret Micholet
Was a historian for the National Park Service. She served on the Lexington Historical Society’s Slavery Interpretation Advisory Group and wrote the brochure, “Slavery in Colonial Lexington.” She is currently researching African American enslaved women in Lexington.
Melinda Nasardinov
Has a background in museums and historic houses. She served on the Stone Building Feasibility & Reuse Committee and has lived in Lexington since 2010.
Hui Chieh Jackson
Hui Chieh is a professional with a background in quality engineering and front-end web development. She actively seeks opportunities to contribute to local community projects and is currently the volunteer webmaster for Lexington Lyceum Advocates.