Preserving the Past by Pat Mulso

With nine years under my belt as executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library & Village, I can still say that each day is different and that’s why I love my job. Each day is full of surprises and challenges, and there is never a dull moment. Whether I have music playing on my computer while I am ironing table cloths for an event in the meeting room, mopping floors, working on reports or signing membership letters, or if I am presenting programs for organizations or tours for groups of all sizes, I am promoting the preservation of the history of our community.

When I talk with visitors to the museum I try to find out what interest they have or their connection to Freeborn County and then point out exhibits or collections that will be of interest to them. We are so fortunate to have a museum, library and village in one location for a community of our size.

When I started my job as director, my first vision was to enlarge our library and its holdings so we would be a regional location for individuals to do research. I feel we have reached that goal, but will continue to look at ways we can improve our library collections and services to our community.

My second goal was to work on the buildings in the village. We have replaced the roofs on all the buildings in the village except the mill in the last eight years. The mill roof was replaced just a few years before I started. We have also replaced several building foundations and painted every building. However, painting is on our list again for next spring and summer for several of our village buildings. We have replaced porch floors, sided the north side of the red barn, put a shelter over the RR exhibit, log home and extended the shelter over the machinery. We have several small repairs in the village slated for next summer as well.

My third goal was to replace the existing furnaces, air conditioners and install energy efficient lighting throughout the museum and red exhibit building. With the help of several grants we have accomplished those tasks too.

My fourth goal was to build the museum addition which we needed so desperately. The addition is complete and the second phase, the completion of a new archive room, is also complete. The third phase of this goal is to purchase archival shelving. I will be seeking grant opportunities and donations to make this final phase of the project a reality. When we are able to purchase the shelving we will move our paper archives to the lower level archive room and then will be able to reorganize our clothing archives and have room in the upper archive room to work on new exhibits and projects.

On behalf of the FCHM board of directors and building committee I would like to say thank you to everyone who pledged and donated to the FCHM building project. If you have not donated yet, or would like to increase your donation, we would greatly appreciate your support as we work to reduce the balance remaining on the building expansion project.

As we begin to plan for the next year we will be looking at new ways to reach out and involve the community, change and add new exhibits, offer new programs, events and opportunities to serve our members and visitors.

October is Choose Civility Month and we will be hosting “Tea with Family and Friends” in partnership with Senior Resources and the Choose Civility Committee. It will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Freeborn County Historical Museum. RSVP by calling 507-377-4355. Good manners are an important skill that our young people need to learn to succeed in life and all ages need a refresher course. This event is a fantastic opportunity for family and friends, young and old to learn while enjoying the art of having tea. We hope you can join us.

The museum will also host a four-hour refresher defensive driving class from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 25. The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is required.

We have kicked off our annual membership drive and appreciate everyone who has already renewed their museum memberships for 2015. Memberships are $25 for an individual, $35 for a family/household membership and any donation above that is tax deductible. We have annual membership levels from $25 to $5000.

Smile, it makes people wonder what you are up to! Remember, what happens today is history tomorrow.

 

Pat Mulso is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village, 1031 Bridge Ave.