Preserving the Past by Pat Mulso

April will be a busy month at the museum. The following column details Freeborn County Historical Museum activities for April.

Our Historically Speaking spring lecture series will host a lecture from 9 to 10 a.m. April 9 in the museum meeting room followed by a half hour for questions and discussion. The topic is “The Archeology of Israel.” The archeological work of an Albert Lea High School alum on a 5,000-year-old village and synagogue in Israel will be featured. Everyone is welcome to attend. The lecture is free to museum members and is $5 for the general public.

The museum will also participate in the Taste of Heritage event that will take place on April 9.  This event is from 1 to 3 p.m. at Northbridge Mall. This is a great family event and is free to everyone. The event will begin with a flag ceremony honoring the diverse heritage of our community. There will be entertainment throughout the afternoon, as well as exhibits, demonstrations, some food samples and many children’s activities. Please plan to join us for a fun afternoon.

The museum will host a four-hour AARP defensive driving refresher class from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. April 14.  The cost is $20 for AARP members or $25 for non-members, which includes the class materials and administrative fee.  You must pre-register for the class and will need your driver’s license to do so. The refresher course is needed every three years after the initial eight-hour class is taken to continue receiving a discount on your auto insurance. Call or stop by the museum to register during our regular business hours. You will receive your certificate at the end of the class.

April 16 will also be a busy day for the museum. In the morning from 9 a.m. to noon will be our annual Village Clean-Up.  If you have a few hours to help us open, clean and prepare our village buildings for the tour and discover history season we would appreciate your help. We will supply the cleaning products. If you have extra rags bring them along and if you prefer to work in gloves, bring them as well. The more help we have the faster the job gets done. Thank you for your continued support.

Then, in the afternoon on April 16, is the Hats Off to You Tea at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7.50 and may be purchased at the museum. This is a great opportunity to take a step back in time, enjoy an afternoon with friends and family, get out your favorite hat and dress up for tea, conversation and refreshments. We will have a special display with some of our favorite hats, gloves and shoes from the past. Tickets must be purchased in advance. I hope to see you April 16.

We are already booking lots of school tours for May and have set the date for our tour guide training at 1 p.m. April 21 in the museum meeting rooms. We will be trying a new format this year for our training. Please plan to join us whether you are a seasoned guide or just considering becoming one. Please RSVP to 373-8003 if you plan on attending.

Have a safe and happy Easter and be thankful for all the many blessings bestowed upon you.  Smile and do a kind deed for a friend or a random act of kindness.

 

Pat Mulso is the former executive director of the Freeborn County Historical Museum, Library and Village, 1031 Bridge Ave.