Preserving the Past by Pat Mulso

Have you ever thought about the inventions and modern conveniences that have come to be in your lifetime? The first that comes to my mind is the changes in telephones. Growing up we had a phone in the kitchen, a party line. I believe there were two other homes on our line. The phone was rotary dial. Then years later the portable — or cordless — phones were popular and they were touch tones and allowed you to walk around the house while you talked. We thought they were the greatest thing ever invented. Then there were the portable bag phones that you could plug in to your car cigarette lighters. They were expensive to use, but great if you were traveling and had trouble and needed to call for help. Then came the early cell phones. They were still expensive, but cheaper to use for long distance than your land line. And now, a lot of people don’t have land lines but depend on their cell phones for not only talking with everyone, but also for their email and internet use as well.

Computers are another huge part of communication today. You email someone and in a matter of seconds your message reaches them. I remember the first computer we bought, it cost over $10,000 and didn’t do much of anything. Wow, have times changed. From the ability to search for nearly anything you want on the Internet, to watching movies or talking with someone anywhere in the world with HD video conferencing. With Wi-Fi you can do these things with a laptop computer as well. What will happen in this area by the time our grandchildren are our age?

Be sure to check out our new window exhibit at the museum and visit our website, www.fchm.us and like us on Facebook as well. A special thank you to our volunteers who help with these social media areas, (other new aspects in our lifetime!)

The spring FCHM lecture series will be from 9 to 10 a.m. Feb. 14, followed by a half-hour for discussion. The February lecture will be “Stars of the Big Band Era.” Bring your sweetheart and enjoy great music from the past. You might be surprised at the memories that come back with this music from the past. Admission is free for museum members and $5 for nonmembers.

We have scanned some great photos at our first two photo workshops and invite you to register for a spot at one of the remaining two workshops. The next one is Feb. 21. Appointments are available between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Call the museum and ask for Hattie to schedule your appointment time. After the workshops are completed we will have a public viewing of some of the photos we have collected. This will take place toward the end of March or early April. This project is funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

The museum will host a four-hour defensive driving refresher class from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. March 7.  The cost is $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members, and this fee includes class materials and an administrative fee. You must register for the class by calling the museum at 507-373-8003 or by stopping by during our regular business hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

2015 FCHM memberships are now due. If you have not renewed your membership yet, now’s the time. We are working to pay off our building debt as well and have lots of great ideas for new programs. Your continued support is sincerely appreciated.

 

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