Posted: 8/1/06
Historical society addition set for 2007
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
The Houston County Historical Society presented commissioners with a budget request of $38,200 at the July 25 county board meeting.
It is $2,000 more than the county approved last year. Board chairman Kevin Kelleher said the board would consider the request when it does its budget in the fall.
Historical society president Shirley Johnson gave an update on the building addition that the society is planning. About $500,000 has been raised, which is two thirds of the original goal. But now the plan is to do a full basement, so the price will be higher, Johnson said.
Plans are being drawn by an architect, the land has been surveyed by the county, and soil borings will be done soon, she said.
Johnson estimated that construction would start next spring, because contractors are busy now.
The proposed 14,000-square-foot building will have improved exhibit space, climate-controlled storage areas, and expanded research facilities.
The current building will be made into a research center, Anita Palmquist said. ìWe just donít have a place to put it anymore,î she said. ìWe canít even visualize adequate working space.î
Commissioner Dave Corcoran said that adding a basement was a good idea because itís the cheapest part of a building. No matter how big you build it, itís always too small,î he added.
Johnson gave an example of that: the society has about 19,000 photos and 20,000 negatives. They are also acquiring more microfilm, and have recently purchased property tax records starting from 1901.
The historical society has a dedicated group of people, Corcoran said. ìI hope the public appreciates it.î
Anita Palmquist said the latest work was shingling the Flatten-Swenson Pioneer Home. The Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal, in Brownsville needs a lot of work, and will be done next, Palmquist said. the Christian Bunge building in Eitzen needs painting and some shades, member Rolf Jore said.
The historical society has about 80 volunteers, Johnson said. It had about 4,500 contacts last year, with visitors from 28 states and five countries. Fair time is the busiest for the society, she said. ìItís a growing thing.î
The museum is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Wednesday. Appointments can be made for other times, and tours are welcome. Call 507-725-3884 for more information.
About the addition
The addition will be built on the fairgrounds in Caledonia behind the historical buildings on History Lane, which include the Sheldon Presbyterian Church, Flatten Swenson pioneer home, Mayville Town Hall and the Daley School.
It will give some much needed storage space for items that have been donated. The current building will be refitted for a research center and library The present barnyard friends building will be restored also.
The proposed building will have a visitorís center and gift shop near the front entrance. Geologic, historic and Native American timelines will put the countyís past into perspective
Also planned is space for interactive displays and events, and an exhibit featuring items from the former Palen Photo Studio. There will be a climate controlled storage area and drive-in basement for delivery of historical articles. The entire building will be accessible to the handicapped.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
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