The Douglas County Historical Society celebrated 74 years of collecting and preserving local historical materials Thursday night.

About 50 members attended the nonprofit organization’s annual meeting, which was held for the first time at the Watkins Community Museum of History, 1047 Mass. The society is responsible for the museum’s various collections.

“We’ve got this facility so let’s put it on in our own house,” said Carmela Sibley, president of the society, of the decision to host the event at the museum.

The celebration began with a social hour followed by dinner.

After the meal, members talked about the organization’s future. Topics included building repairs for the museum, the need for more volunteers, and the desire for greater public involvement.

“Some of our programs don’t get the audiences they deserve,” Sibley said. “We wish more of the public attended.”

Museum director Rebecca Phipps then made a presentation titled “To Preserve and Honor: Celebrating 75 years of the Douglas County Historical Society.” Phipps described the society’s growth through the years, highlighting its important role of preserving the community’s heritage and the programming offered at the museum.

“There’s something here for everyone,” Phipps said.

And after nearly three-quarters of a century of work devoted to the past, the society is looking to the future.

“We’d like to start our 75th year with an upswing,” Sibley said.