Column: Preserving the Past, by Pat Mulso

The new construction at the Freeborn County Historical Museum is complete. The library is moved to its new location, and now we are working to reset exhibits, settle into our new office spaces and arrange new exhibits as we prepare for “Autumn in the Village” and a grand opening coming soon. Please bear with us as we make these transitions and remain open during the process. We are using our new entrance which is located near the Fairground arches. We hoped to get the old entrance transformed into a glassed-in exhibit area facing Bridge Avenue before the end of the year. This is part of phase two which will include improvements to the original museum building.

We are now open our regular summer hours, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting Oct. 1 through April 30, we will change to our winter hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our website is also under construction as we work to bring new features to it, such as the ability to renew your membership, reserve a date for a meeting, luncheon or event in our meeting rooms or a wedding in our village church. As well as keeping our legends from the past, calendar of events and other info regarding our museum, library and village up to date for your convenience.

The FCHM Board of Directors will be serving brats at the farmers market from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday. Please join us for a meal; this fundraiser will help support museum programs.

Please mark your calendar for our annual “Autumn in the Village” which will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 15. This is a great family outing with activities for every age. There will be live demonstrations, food, music, children’s activities and many exhibits inside the museum and in the village buildings and grounds; this is an event you won’t want to miss.

We have three school class reunions booked for September as well as two weddings in the next few weeks and a couple of birthday parties. Several service clubs and organizations have meetings booked to view our new facilities, and we are anxious to share our new surroundings with the community.

Our next four-hour defensive driving class is scheduled for Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. The cost is $19 and you must pre-register for the class. The four-hour class must be taken every three years to continue receiving a discount on your auto insurance.

The museum is working with our local 4-H leaders to identify some movie footage from 4-H and fair activities from the 1939 and 1940 time period. Watch for dates soon when you can attend a viewing of the films at the museum.

We have some new events being planned for the last quarter of the year so you won’t want to miss out on the details in the museum newsletter. So if you are not a current member of the Freeborn County Historical Society, there is no better time than now to join. Join now and get the rest of 2013 plus all of 2014. A household membership starts at just $25. Help us to preserve and protect the history of Freeborn County and its people with your support by being a member of the museum.

Remember, what happens today is history tomorrow. Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

 

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