Annual Meeting Spells Out Big Plans for 2005
The Annual Meeting of the Northfield Historical Society was held Saturday, March 5, at the Northfield Golf Club.
Outgoing president, Mary Rossing, welcomed the 70+ attendees, recognized outgoing board members and founders (including Elvin Heiberg, above) and highlighted the past year’s events, programs and positive changes and a offered a preview of what’s around the corner.
Keynote speaker Jim Blaha (right), director of the Community Action Center, gave a presentation on the Latino immigrant experience in Northfield, focusing on the growing population of Latino immigrants who have made Northfield their home and struggles and challenges they face while trying to build a new life.
Earl Weinmann (below), middle school teacher and Historical Society education committee member, was named VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR. Wienmann, a longtime leader of the Historical Society’s education programs, spoke about the Society’s new Middle School Museum and its well-established partnerships with Northfield Public Schools. He referred to the SCOPE project, summer interns program and Junior Posse and Curator programs. Through these studies, students immerse themselves in Northfield History and are ultimately trained as tour guides for the Historical Society museum.
Weinmann described new partnerships immersing middle school students with college interns. He stated that the Historical Society’s educational programs are stronger and more productive than ever. He concluded by offering that it was the students themselves who made the programs work and he wouldn’t be received this award without them.
One of those students is Hannah Means (right). Means was also recognized at the Annual Meeting with the first annual STUDENT VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD for her dedication to the development of the Middle School Museum and her long-standing contributions to the educational programs.
Treasurer Pat Murtha reported that the Historical Society is in as strong a financial position as he’s seen. This, he said, is thanks in large part to the generous endowment gift from the estate of Eva Lou Scott. Murtha expressed that the future financial success of the Historical Society is dependent on the generosity of long-term benefactors and supporters.
Outgoing board members Joan Kark and Bonnie Jean Flom were recognized for their service of the past three years and new members were nominated and welcomed. Bob Kuyper, Joe Hargis, Deanna Kuennen and Dana Graham will begin their terms on the board this month and Chip DeMann began another three-year term.
Former board vice president, Rob Schanilec (left), was welcomed as PRESIDENT. He described the Historical Society as an organization honoring and pursing its founder’s vision of archiving the stories of Northfield, building a bridge from its past to its future, but also as one that is very active in Northfield’s life today. He offered Historical Society programs, community partnerships, the 4th of July Celebration and Sesquicentennial Celebration as examples. He suggested that now is a great time to be involved with the Society as a volunteer, member or simply to as an audience member. It’s an organization, he said, where one can get involved, build a bridge from one’s personal life to their civic life, and realize the fruits of their labors in a very real way.
Sesquicentennial Executive Committee co-chair Dan Freeman (right, with Jennifer) provided an overview of the year ahead for Northfield’s 150th anniversary celebration. He introduced co-chair Jennifer Sawyer and elaborated on the building of bridges between the community and the Historical Society as we celebrate our Sesquicentennial.
Historical Society Executive Director Mark Fagerwick (left) described ambitious restoration plans for the Scriver Building and expansion and redesign of the museum. Beginning this month, three of the four major exhibit rooms will be completely restored. The tin ceilings will be removed and the original 1876 plaster and lath ceilings restored. Museum-quality lighting will be installed and new displays and exhibits created.
Central to this restoration will be the creation of an all-new Northfield history exhibit and an expanded bank raid exhibit.
The exterior will undergo major restoration with removal of the current roof in favor of the original flat roof still in existence, and hopefully good shape, below it. In the process, long-standing concerns over recurring water damage will be addressed.
Schanilec concluded that the Historical Society is on a path of major growth and that now is the time to get involved. For more information call (507) 645-9268.