Column: Pat Mulso, Preserving the Past

Hopefully you were able to make it out to the museum Friday or Saturday night to enjoy the holiday lights in the village as we kicked off the holiday season at the museum. If not, drive by any evening and enjoy the lights from the outside and plan to join us on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at our annual Christmas Gathering.

We are having a contest, join us and see if you can count the correct number of Christmas trees that are on exhibit in the museum this year. Enjoy Christmas music, decorations, hot cider or coffee and some homemade Christmas treats. Whether you are young or old, take time to visit with Santa and his reindeer helper and maybe get a photo to share with your family. Weather permitting we will have a fire in our fire ring where you can warm your hands after a walk through our historical village that is decorated for the holidays.

As 2011 comes to an end it is time to renew your museum membership, or get a membership for the first time. A household membership starts at just $25 and is good for the entire year. (Now through Dec. 2012). Any donation over the $25 is tax deductible and will help us to continue our programs and events at the museum.

We will host a refresher defensive driving class on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost is $19 and you must pre-register. You will receive your certificate the day of the class. You will need your driver’s license to register. Call or stop by to do so. Our number is 507-373-8003. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year we will be open the week between Christmas and New Year’s. If you have family or friends visiting for the holidays plan to bring them to the museum. The museum and library will be open for your convenience.

Don’t miss it: We are excited to be hosting “Electrifying Minnesota” a traveling exhibit from the Minnesota History Center and The Bakken Museum. This exhibit is made possible through the Clean Water Land & Legacy Amendment funds. Can you imagine a time without electricity? What would have filled the space of time that you now spend watching television, listening to the radio, working on your computer or using other electrical devices? Please plan to visit the museum to see this special exhibit that will be on display at our museum from Dec. 22 through Feb. 12, 2012.

As you may have notice, things have been happening at the museum during the past few months. We have had a site survey completed, worked on some drainage problems, taken down several trees and all of this is in preparation for breaking ground on our building expansion in the spring. We have currently raised more than $800,000 toward our project, but we need your help to make the addition a reality.

As 2011 comes to an end and you are doing your yearend tax planning, please consider making a donation to the FCHM Building Expansion Fund. We are a 501 (c) (3) and will be happy to provide you with a receipt for your tax deductible donation. We appreciate all donations. You can make a one-time cash donation, a three-year pledge, set up a monthly electronic funds transfer deduction from your checking or savings account or make a donation by credit card by donating through GiveMN.org. Please help us with your donation as we prepare for the future, so we can continue to protect and preserve the history of Freeborn County now and for future generations. We have a presentation that explains the need for this addition, and we would be happy to share the presentation with any group or individual who is interested. If you have any questions please stop by the museum and I will be happy to visit with you about our plans.

Plan now to make this a Christmas with memories that will be passed down for generations to come. Remember, what happens today is history tomorrow.

 

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