Posted: 7/13/04
Historical Society museum addition may be built next year
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The Houston County Historical Society updated the county board on its plans for a building addition at the July 6 commissionersí meeting.
President Shirley Johnson and vice-president Anita Palmquist first distributed copies of their projected budget of $49,700. The county provides $34,500 of that in levy and matching funds.
Then the women updated the board about their organizationís plans to build a 14,000 square foot addition on the the west and south side of their current building. It will cost between $600,00 and $700,000 dollars. The historical society has about $255,000 now, and would like to have at least $300,000 before they being the project, Palmquist told The Argus after the meeting. They plan to raise this through donations from members and businesses, and from fundraisers.
One of the main uses of the building will be for climate-controlled storage, Johnson said.
ìYou guys are cramped,î first district commissioner Larry Graf said.
Johnson agreed, adding that without the storage that they have in a church building that they own in Caledonia, things would be even worse. All of the things that are in storage would be brought into the new building.
ìWeíre so frugal we use our garbage bags over,î Palmquist said.
Dave Corcoran thanked the women and their organization. ìYouíve got a very loyal and dedicated and hardworking crew,î he said.
ìWe think itís a huge asset to Houston County too,î Johnson said. ìPeople come in and they spend money.î
People from 24 states, four foreign countries, and about 70 cities visited the historical society museum last year, Johnson said. ìA broad section from across the United States,î she said. ìWe even had people from Alabama.î
Board members on the historical society in addition to Johnson and Palmquist are treasurer Richard Cordes, Brownsville; secretary Paul Wiste, Houston; and directors Georgia Rosendahl, Spring Grove, and Dr. Rolf Jore, Caledonia.
All of the staff members are volunteers. The museum does not charge admission.
The group has 12 buildings. There are eight at the fairgrounds, plus they own the former Caledonia Presbyterian Church and Manse in Caledonia; the Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal, Brownsville; and the Christian Bunge Jr. Store in Eitzen. The last two buildings are on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Donations for the building project can be sent to the historical society at 104 History Lane, Caledonia, MN 55921; or by contacting a board member. You can also call the historical society at 507-725-3884, or Shirley Johnson at 507-896-2291 for more information.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com