Twenty-two individuals met on Thursday, Jan. 8, 1948, to adopt a constitution, elect officers and begin planning the future of the Freeborn County Historical Society. L.W. Spicer was elected president, Dr. A. Gullixson first vice president, Carl Lunde second vice president and William H. Sykes secretary-treasurer.

The following were elected to the board that night as directors: Anna Frydenlund, John F. D. Meighen, Bernhard Johnsrud.

At that time there was no building and a committee was appointed to find a suitable place of storage for relics loaned to or given to the society.

As I think about the future of the museum, I reflect on how the museum has changed and grown over the past 60 years and dream of what we will be in another 60 years. As we were to achieve our current goals and plan for the future, we must also repair and maintain our current buildings. This past year we were able to complete several projects: a new foundation under the post office, new roofs on the shoe shop and hardware store, new siding on the blacksmith and woodworking shop, as well as a new brick entry, repair of the fountain in the village and the retaining wall on the southeast corner of our property, and repair of the floor and lower siding on the shoe shop.

We added several new displays: the Marion Ross display and the Minnesota Rock and Country Hall of Fame exhibit.

We updated the toy display and moved the hospital exhibit. We added many different items to our medical displays. We have many projects planned for the coming year, so you will want to visit often to keep up with what is going on.

We have many events planned as we begin our 60th year.

We are having our next library lock-in on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m.. Call the museum at 373-8003 to register or for details.

Our AARP Defensive Driving Class scheduled for Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. is full, but we will be hosting another class on Monday, March 10.

That class time will be from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. You may register for that class by stopping by the museum during our regular hours: Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will need your driver&8217;s license number to register.

During the Christmas break we had the lower level floors stripped and waxed and are now busy changing and updating many displays. We are also getting ready for our annual meeting that will be held on Monday, Feb. 18, at 7:00 p.m. All FCHM members welcome.

Remember that 2008 membership to the Freeborn County Historical Museum are due now. Please make checks payable to FCHM and either send or bring them to the museum located at 1031 Bridge Ave. Any donation above $25 is tax deductible. Membership accounts for a large portion of our budget and insures that we are able to continue many of our educational programs and tours for students and the public.

We want to thank all of our members for their continued support

to the museum and our programs. Help us to make our 60th year the best ever &8212;

renew your membership now!

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