Another Year Comes and Goes at NHS

And what a past year it's been! So many positive changes and growth have taken place thanks to the generosity and support of our members, volunteers and this wonderful community.

I wanted to review just a few of the major events and new developments that have taken place over the past year and share our goals and new initiatives for 2006. Believe me there's been much more going on this past year and many exciting things in the works for 2006.

Since it’s founding in 1975, one of the major goals of the Northfield Historical Society has been to restore the exterior and interior of the Scriver Building to its grand historic appearance of 1876.

In 2003 we embarked on a major capital campaign to continue our founder’s visions. The outpouring of generosity and support of the community was a very productive start and has resulted in some of the wonderful transformations we've made over the past year.

The first order of business was to renovate our two primary interior exhibit areas. The 1876 plaster and lath ceilings were restored to their original condition for historic accuracy. Authentic trim, fresh paint and state-of -the-art museum lighting was installed as well.

In conjunction with the restoration of the exhibit rooms came the six-month process of completely redesigning and greatly expanding upon the 1876 bank raid exhibit. With the help of an outstanding committee of local and national experts and resources, the exhibit now stands as one of the most detailed, creative, engaging and accurate interpretations of Northfield's defeat of the James-Younger gang.

As part of our effort to continue the exterior restoration we undertook the massive task of removing the 1888 pitched roof, restoring it its original 1876 flat profile while at the same time, resolving several serious water issues, which were putting the stability of the building in structural jeopardy.

As for historic research and development of expanded services and community resources, we are nearing the completion of “the” definitive timeline of Northfield history spanning the personal history and founding of Northfield by John and Ann North to the to this year’s dedication of the Veteran’s Memorial Park virtually every person, place, event and occurrence of historic significance in between.

In addition to becoming the first fully interactive graphic on-line encyclopedia of Northfield history, the timeline is the foundation of the design and production of the all-new Northfield History exhibit. The exhibit will be a combined permanent and rotating display, which will effectively present the early and ongoing history of Northfield as a town and a community.

To get involved in these and a host of fun and exciting projects please give us a call or stop on by. We’re at 408 Division Street, Northfield, MN 55044. Telephone – (507) 645-9268.