Leila Sears grew up in Wayland. She served this town as its elected clerk for twenty years. During World War II she broke codes for the Navy. And when she sat down to write her will, she remembered the Wayland Historical Society.

She didn’t announce it. She didn’t ask for anything in return. She just believed this place was worth keeping.

Her family’s connection to Wayland runs deep. Her ancestor Edmund Hamilton Sears — a minister, a Wayland man — wrote “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” in 1849. The handwritten manuscript is in our collections. Leila knew that. It mattered to her.

Her gift, along with others like it, built the endowment that keeps the Grout-Heard House open.

Leila never asked to be remembered. But we remember her.

If you’ve spent time in this town — if you’ve watched it change and hoped it would hold onto something — you already understand why she did it.

We’d like to remember you too.

How to Make a Planned Gift

Name Us in Your Will or Trust
The simplest way to make a planned gift is to add a sentence to your will or trust. Your attorney handles it — you don’t need to do anything today except decide you want to. Here’s the language your attorney can use: “I give and bequeath to the Wayland Historical Society, a nonprofit organization located in Wayland, Massachusetts (Federal Tax ID: 04-6112780), [the sum of $____ / ____% of my estate / the residue of my estate] to be used for its general charitable purposes.” If you wish to direct your gift to a specific purpose — collections care, building preservation, or education programs — please contact us so we can ensure your intentions are honored.

Name Us as a Beneficiary
If you have an IRA, retirement account, life insurance policy, or financial account, you can name WM&HS as a beneficiary directly through your financial institution — it’s a one-page form. No attorney needed. Retirement assets are among the most tax-advantaged gifts you can leave to a nonprofit. Your heirs pay no income tax on what goes to WM&HS, and your estate may benefit as well. The same applies to life insurance policies and financial accounts. Ask your advisor whether this makes sense for your situation.

Give Appreciated Stock or Securities
If you hold appreciated stock or securities, a gift of those assets can also be arranged. You avoid capital gains tax on the appreciation, and WM&HS receives the full value. Contact us and we can connect you with the right resources.

You Can Always Change Your Mind
A bequest in a will is revocable. Most people update their estate plans more than once over the course of their lives. There is no minimum gift and no announcement required.

A Note on Our Name: Our legal name for estate and trust documents is Wayland Historical Society. Our operating name is Wayland Museum & Historical Society. Please use the legal name in any bequest language to ensure your gift is honored without delay.