Welcoming New Board Members: Kara Bemis and Ben Lear

The Fluvanna Community Historical Society (FCHS) is pleased to welcome Ben Lear and Kara Bemis as our newest Board members.

Both bring a deep appreciation for history, a shared love of travel and learning, and a strong connection to the Fluvanna community. Their experiences, both local and global, reflect a thoughtful perspective that will serve the Historical Society well as we continue to grow.

Kara Bemis: A Commitment to Community and Learning

Kara Bemis is a native of Chautauqua County and has been drawn to history from an early age. Childhood reading helped shape a lasting appreciation for the past and its connection to everyday life.

After graduating from Clymer Central School, Kara earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Business from Mercyhurst University. She then spent more than five years in South Korea teaching English as a Second Language, where she met Ben.

After several years of teaching and traveling, Kara and Ben moved permanently to the United States in 2016. They later found their home in Fluvanna, where they have since established strong roots and become active members of the Historical Society.

Kara is a business teacher at Jamestown High School and enjoys travel, gardening, and spending time with her family.

Ben Lear: A Lifelong Connection to History and Landscape

Ben Lear was born and raised surrounded by history in Gnosall, England. From an early age, he was encouraged to look closely at the world around him, especially the architecture and historic character of the places he visited. Summer evenings were sometimes spent attending re-enactments at Stafford Castle, whose origins date back more than a thousand years.

After studying Ecology in Plymouth, near the historic Mayflower Steps, Ben spent several years abroad. In British Columbia, Canada, he worked in both outdoor recreation and construction, and later moved to South Korea to teach English as a Second Language.

While in South Korea, Ben met Kara, and together they traveled widely, visiting museums, historic homes, and cultural sites along the way.

Ben moved permanently to the United States in 2016. In 2019, he and Kara settled in Fluvanna, where they have since become active participants in community life and in the Historical Society. He currently works as a Public Health Technician for the Chautauqua County Health Department and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

How You Can Get Involved

The arrival of Kara and Ben is a great opportunity for community members to get involved with the Fluvanna Community Historical Society. Whether you are a history enthusiast, educator, student, or simply curious about our community and region's past, there are many ways to participate:

• Attend upcoming events and lectures hosted by the Society

• Volunteer to help with archival work or event planning

• Share your own family stories or historical photos for the Society’s collections

• Join the Society as a member to support our mission and activities

  
  

By working together, we can help preserve Fluvanna’s history and make it accessible for everyone.

Looking Ahead

We are grateful to welcome Ben and Kara to the Board and look forward to their continued involvement in the Historical Society’s work.

Their shared commitment to community, learning, and preservation reflects the values at the heart of our organization and will help guide FCHS forward in meaningful ways.

The Fluvanna Community Historical Society is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, provisionally chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, and dedicated to connecting our community with our past, with each other and with a brighter future.