The weekend of July 4 was wonderful. On Saturday, I met a cousin from South Carolina whom I had not seen since I was a child. In the afternoon, I did my grocery shopping, cleaned the garage, washed the car, and mowed the lawn. Then I settled down with an interesting biography, feeling good about a lazy evening.

Sunday morning’s heavy rainfall brought concern for the Civil War soldiers that were camped in the Historical Village, so I went on a mercy mission, only to be invited under a tent canopy for a cup of coffee made from extract (as close to authentic as they could get it) and some great conversation about historic military people and a steamboat that sank in the Mississippi in 1852.

In the afternoon, I helped to set up the popcorn and sarsaparilla sales area in front of the museum. That has developed into one of our July 4th traditions. Many of the people who watch the parade from our grounds help to support the museum’s programs by purchasing our treats, and it’s fun to be a part of the action.

In the parade, I got to ride on the very first truck owned by the Albert Lea Fire Department. What a thrill that was! The truck had been sitting in the museum’s fire department display area for many years, and when Mark Light approached us about restoring it, we were happy to say

“Yes!”

It was originally purchased by the City of Albert Lea in 1918 to replace the horse-drawn equipment. I’m sure everyone was thrilled by its size and capabilities. Today, it looks pint-sized. It was so much fun riding in the truck and waving to people lining the streets during the parade, recognizing family and friends along the way.

The Fourth of July began with a prayer &045; for our people in military service throughout the world, for the families of the young men here in Freeborn County who are personally experiencing this fight for our freedom, and for the hope that soon we can reach a compromise to end the hostilities.

The day closed with a warm gathering of family and friends &045; a 4th of July weekend couldn’t get

any better.

As I went about all of the museum related activities that have been a routine part of my life for more than 18 years, I couldn’t help but think, “This is the last time… ”

Recently, I submitted a letter of retirement to the members of the board of directors of the

Freeborn County Historical Museum. I’m ready to move on to the researching and writing that I’ve been waiting so long to do.

I love the creative arts &045; drawing and watercolor, and I firmly believe that all of us have stories to tell and to record for our family’s legacy. I’m looking forward to a less structured time in my life. It’s strange to be able to express these ideas in writing. They’ve been floating around in the back of my head for so long now.

When I first began working at the museum, we were open for 3 1/2 hours a day in the summer and a few weekends in September. We did some school tours in the spring and a small demonstration day in the fall. The phone on my desk was a single line, dial phone, and computers were barely making a showing in the museum world &045; in the long distant future for us.

During the nine months of the year that we were closed, I would often sit at my desk, alone in

that big, dark building, and wonder what to do next. I remember writing, typing, copying, folding, addressing and sorting our first newsletter, and then mailing it to a fist of about 200 people. I wanted them to know that I was on the job and looking for ways to increase the museum’s role in the community.

Little did I know what would happen. Eighteen years later, we have a staff of six year-round people who can hardly keep up with the work load, a mailing fist of more than 900 names (members, businesses, media and other museums), and 80 volunteers who spend thousands of

hours annually keeping our programs moving. I am thrilled with the progress and so proud to have been a part of the success.

Writing this column is difficult. I love working at the museum, have met so many wonderful people, and I have learned so much. I have told the FCHM board that I will stay until my replacement is found, and until that time comes, I intend to keep busy &045; making memories.

(Bev Jackson is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum.)