The purpose of the Lima Astronomical Society is to promote astronomy and to provide an opportunity for people in the community to share their interest in astronomy and science in general. The Lima Astronomical Society has provided weekly summer programs, monthly public meetings, and star parties for organizations and school classes. Timely programs have been scheduled during occurrences of eclipses, meteor showers, planetary conjunctions and comet apparitions. The LAS has received four mayoral proclamations and a supporting resolution by the Lima City Council in recognition of their public service. All public programs are staffed by volunteers. Registration records indicate that thousands of people have visited the observatory. It is commendable that the club members have sustained a long term commitment to public education. Receiving no financial support, they are motivated by their enthusiasm to share observational astronomy with the public.

The Schoonover Observatory is located in Schoonover Park, Lima, Ohio. The observatory became a reality in 1964 through the vision of the Lima Astronomical Society, the philanthropy of the Thomas R. Schoonover family, and the cooperation of the city of Lima. Club members ground the optics and constructed a 12.5" Newtonian Cassegrain telescope. This telescope was replaced by a 14" Celestron. For over 40 years the LAS has provided educational programs and maintained the observatory. Professor Earl E. Lhamon, a mathematics professor from Ohio Northern University at the time, was president of the LAS when the observatory was constructed.