EMMAUS, Pa. -- The Emmaus Historical society is changing its history. After the suicide of its last president, the society, as of Wednesday night, has a new president.

72 Year old Francis Hartman was the president of the Emmaus Historical Society for 16 years until he shot himself on July 14th. Wednesday night the society he loved so much went in a new direction.

Pat Zentner, the new Emmaus Historical Society President says that a group of people felt it was time for change and new blood and ideas to come into the society.

She says it was a long road to her new position.

Some Society members say the past President, the late Francis Hartman tried to changed the by- laws to protect his position.

Zentner says that they decided to change the by- laws so that in order to run for office you had to be a member of the board of directors and that really really made it narrow pool of who could run.

The historical societies last meeting was June 30th and in that meeting there was a lot of finger pointing. In that meeting, members say that Hartman read a letter from Rep. Doug Reichley regarding state law on society procedures.

Reichley says that he wasn't making any accusations or insinuations, but there was a difference in the letter produced from his office and the letter that Hartman read.

Zentner says that a few days later some members of the society went to Reichley's office and asked for a copy of the letter. The letter Reichley had written was a three page letter and the letter Mr. Hartman presented to the group was a two page letter.

Hartman walked out of that meeting and just days later shot himself in the head. Historical society members say it's a tragedy, but are hoping Wednesday to put it behind them.

The board also elected a new vice president, treasurer, secretary and two board members. There are 650 members of the Emmaus historical society.