Column: Preserving the Past, by Pat Mulso

Our youngest granddaughter’s first birthday is today. Kepler has a relaxed, laid-back temperament like her parents and enjoys the outdoors, animals and the theme song from the “Gilmore Girls.” She was in her first parade a few weeks ago with her other grandparents and enjoyed waving and giving out candy as her mom and aunt rode with a riding group they belong to. (Daddy had to work, but heard all about it when he got home.)

What a precious age and a happy memory to record for future reference. As we get older those simple happy times mean more and more to us. Whether it is having a movie night and watching “Scooby Doo” with the grandchildren, or playing a game and making their favorite bedtime treat, that’s what history is all about. When recording your family history, those types of details are important to the future generations that will want to know what you did in your day-to-day living. Special events get recorded, but what happened on Sunday nights or Saturday mornings is a mystery unless someone passes it on to the next generation.

A week from today is the historical society’s annual Autumn in the Village event at the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village. Admissions are $5 for adults, $1 for students ages 12 to 18 and members and children age 11 and younger get in free. The event is from noon to 4 p.m.

Please join us for a great family afternoon full of activities, food and entertainment. There will be demonstrations in the village, sandwiches, apple pie and ice cream, beverages and of course our famous sarsaparilla available all afternoon. There will be a special Indian exhibit and genealogical display in the museum, as well as a special performance by the Grapevine Square Dancers at 1:30 p.m. in our new meeting room on the upper level of the new addition.

Our regular exhibitors such as those who weave and spin or create hardanger, embroidery, etc., will be with us. There will be children’s activities throughout the afternoon in the village, from corn shelling, friendship bracelets and school house activities to an archaeological dig. Or you can have photos taken in our photography shop for just $3. There will be fresh kettle korn available and old fashioned candy and trinkets in the general store. We have supplemental funding from Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Albert Lea Chapter 31179 for this event. Hope to see you next Sunday!

We are hosting a four-hour defensive driving class on from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. The cost is $19 and you must register for the class. The next class will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 14. Please call or stop by to register or with any questions you may have. The four-hour class is required every three years to continue receiving a discount on your auto insurance.

We are just finishing a Legacy Grant project that will make more photos accessible at the museum and a sampling available at the Albert Lea Public Library. Please join us at the museum at 2 p.m. Sept. 21 for a Powerpoint presentation of photos from the past from Freeborn County. This project was funded in part or in whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

September is the last month of the season that our historical village is open, so if you have not been out to stroll through the village this year, your time is running short. The village is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday until Sept. 27. Our museum and library winter hours begin on Oct. 1, which are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The village will not be open through the winter season.

Save the date! The museum will host a grand opening for the new museum addition on Sept. 29. Details to follow soon.

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift; that’s why we call it the present. Make the most of every moment!

 

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