There is mention of suicide in this story. If you or someone you love is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call the National Suicide Lifeline at 9-8-8.

Every life tells a story.

Some of heroism, some of joy and others of grief.

In special cases, one single life could help to tell the stories of centuries past. That is the case with the life and legacy of Devin MacMahan.

His story has helped local historians unveil a time of history that has been left covered since Lexington’s modernization. Devin MacMahan was a coinsurer of all things early Lexington. With his mother, Laura MacMahan, being a former history teacher and principal of Lexington Middle School, Devin grew up with a deep passion and love for times past.

“Devin had a deep love and fascination for Lexington history,” his mother said. “He spent most of his life collecting many different books, artifacts and documents that had deep connections to Lexington's historical roots. He would source his finds through working at local antique malls, doing extensive research with his Aunt Fan, meeting artifact collectors and finding items on eBay.”

Tragically, Devin took his own life in September of 2015. Amid her grief, Ms. MacMahan knew that she could not let her son’s passion and studies of early Lexington pass away, too.

“After he passed, I spoke with J.R. Fennell about starting a library for the Lexington County Museum in Devin’s honor. To help aid that desire, I requested that funeral memorials be sent to the museum. We raised a little over $5,000 in his honor and were able to buy bookcases and fireproof filing cabinets to store the many precious resources that could be of use to the museum,” she said. “From there, I spent a lot of time sorting through what could be used for further research. I then donated Devin’s vast collection of books and documents, and we set up the Reading and Reseach Room at the Museum in his honor.”

The Lexington County Museum officially opened the Reading and Research Room on June 22, 2022. Over 800 of Devin’s books line its bookshelves and are used daily in the museum’s extensive research of early Lexington life. His collection of rare books reflects his deep interest in Lexington genealogy, artifacts, pottery and history on the Lutheran church.

“Many of these books are first editions. You just simply can’t find these anymore,” his mother said.

Rare books were not the only valuable find in Devin’s collection. Ms. MacMahan also found different records like copies of the  Lexington County Census dating back to the 1800s, pension rolls and purchase logs. Many of the records collected were original and in delicate form.

Devin also had acquired a historic wooden voting box that was used in early county elections.

“Some of this stuff...they were lucky for me to donate,” Ms. MacMahan giggled as she admired her son’s treasures. The Lexington County Muesum’s Historical Interpreter, Paul Stoetzel, spends a great deal of time reviewing and studying the books and historical records that Devin had collected to trace back early Lexington genealogy.

“Most of my time in the Reading and Research Room is spent doing genealogical research. In a town like Lexington, you can’t just identify one person. ... You must identify all related parties to that person,” Stoetzel said. “Because of these documents and records that were collected, we have a clearer picture of what life looked like in early Lexington. If a Lexington County family wanted help to learn about a family member that they didn’t know much about, we have the resources to help them.”

Stoetzel emphasized the importance of these documents and how heavily he relies on them in his efforts to uncover Lexington history.

“It is essential to be able to study and refer to these documents because the records in Lexington County database only go back so far," he said.

While the Lexington County Museum is happy to help any guests with historical questions they may have, the Reading and Research Room is under tight supervision by staff. The documents and books of Devin’s collections are considered invaluable and are instrumental in the extensive research they do of early Lexington.

“Once these books and documents are gone, they are gone forever,” Stoetzel said. “There is no replacing them. ... So no documents or books leave this room.”

Ms. MacMahan said she is so grateful to Museum Director J.R. Fennell who supported her wishes to honor her son’s research and dedication to history by creating the Reading and Research Room. Her hope is that his life and passion for history would leave a legacy and aid local historians as they work towards uncovering life in early Lexington.

“There are many ways to lose someone and many ways to honor them,” she said. “Grief has no timeline. There is no easy way to ever lose someone you love, but the hope is to find a way to continue to honor them. My prayer is that his story would help others who are struggling.”

If you or someone you love is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call the National Suicide Lifeline at 9-8-8.

Catharine Barone is Devin's second cousin.