Column: Pat Mulso, Preserving the Past

Fair week brought us visitors from Mason City, Lake Mills, Waseca, Faribault, Blue Earth, Fairmont, Wells, Austin, Caledonia, the Twin Cities, the Netherlands and the list goes on and on. We had many positive comments about our complex and the building expansion, and it was extremely pleasing to see our young visitors so excited to show their parents or grandparents what their favorite exhibits at the museum are, as well as sharing information they have learned while visiting on their school tours.

We had a total of 1,112 visitors during fair week. We want to say thank you to our 55 volunteers that worked to make it possible for us to be open extended hours every day during the fair! We appreciate their dedication during that very hot week.

Please mark your calendars for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Graceland Cemetery for our 12th annual Echoes From the Past — A Journey Into History event where we will present the lives of one woman and three men who lived and were part of the history of our county.

Their stories will be told by re-enactors who have developed their story lines from data collected on each individual from the archives of the Freeborn County Historical Society and from personal memories in some cases.

The presentations will each be approximately 12 to 15 minutes. There will be only one presentation area again this year so re-enactors will not be competing against each other to be heard. The program will last just over an hour and you will have the opportunity to visit with the re-enactors following the presentations.

Graceland is a lovely cemetery and a perfect setting to bring you stories of the early residents of Freeborn County. Please join us for an entertaining evening as history comes to life! In case of adverse weather, the re-enactment will be held at the Freeborn County Historical Museum, 1031 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea.

The cost is $5, children under 11 are admitted free. Enter through the Wedgewood Road entrance (north side of cemetery) to receive your ticket. Parking on Wedgewood Road is preferred; however, if you are not able to walk the distance, check with the volunteers to secure a closer parking place. Benches and chairs will be provided, or if you like, bring your own lawn chair.

The museum’s board of directors will be serving sandwiches at the farmers market from 4 to 6 p.m. Aug. 22. Please join us in support of museum programs.

The museum will be hosting a four-hour refresher defensive driving class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 6. The cost is $19 per person, and you must pre-register for the class.

The museum will also be hosting a mystery historical bus tour on Sept. 20. The cost is $50 for members and $55 for nonmembers. The fee includes the bus, admissions and your lunch. Space is limited, so don’t delay, register today! The only clue I will give on the trip is that we have not visited these places before. The bus will leave the museum between 8 and 8:30 a.m. and return at approximately 4:30 p.m.

When I put together some items for the Heritage Barn exhibit this year which featured the 1950s, it made me think ahead to how exciting it is going to be to have the opportunity to have new exhibit space when our building expansion is complete. It is not too late to make a contribution and be part of this step into the future for our county. Please consider making a donation so we can complete the inside of the addition as soon as possible, if everyone contributes it will become a reality, we need your help now!

 

Pat Mulso is the executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum in Albert Lea.