March 2005 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Members,
Welcome! I say that because we’re enjoying a significant surge in membership and a good number of you are new to the Historical Society.
New or old – have you have been through the museum? Admission is free to members. This historic bank site, restored to the day Jesse James and his gang attempted to rob it, is a destination for travelers from across the nation and around the world. Yet many residents of Northfield, some born and raised here, have yet to take the tour!
Our interior exhibit space is closed and under renovation through April, but is scheduled to reopen in early May. You can enjoy a guided tour on weekends or a self-guided one during the week. From May to July we’ll be creating and installing a significantly upgraded Jesse James exhibit and be well on our way towards an all-new Northfield History exhibit. Take in an early summer tour and another later in the summer and you’ll get a taste of the bold steps your Society is making.
Our executive director, Mark Fagerwick, has been with us for a year. I have been very impressed and grateful for his engrossing himself in this community and its history. Rest assured – he has done his homework and can tell our story with credibility and heartfelt enthusiasm. Couple that with his professional marketing background and we have perhaps never been better positioned to move forward as a dynamic and integral part of this community.
That is the direction your Board of Directors, under the enthusiastic leadership of Mary Rossing, has taken us these past two years. We’ve more or less come up out of the basement and into the community. I must say – the fresh air feels great! While we’re committed to fulfilling the vision of our founders – maintaining our town’s archives and the Scriver Building – we’ve also become an active leader in Northfield community life.
We are again hosting our town’s 4th of July Celebration on Bridge Square, spearheaded formation of our Sesquicentennial Celebration (now a community-wide production of more than 300 participants), engaged in and expanded partnerships with local organizations, businesses, the public schools and colleges, and will soon see the grand opening of our Middle School Museum at the new middle school.
This is a great time to begin or increase your involvement with the Northfield Historical Society. From the beginning we’ve been building a bridge from our past to our future. Now we can provide opportunity for you to build (or expand) a bridge from your personal life to a civic one.
We’ve got open spots on committees, need input and help as we plan programs and events, and are always in need of hands and feet as we bring Northfield’s rich heritage to life. We’re also offering docent training in April – this is a great opportunity to learn the Jesse James story and provide a valuable service to your community as a tour guide.
Visit our facility and our web site often for updates and inroads on how you can get involved. Know, too, that attending and promoting our offerings, even by word of mouth, is a great way to show your support.
As the new President of the Board, I look forward to the opportunity of being part of this great chapter in our organization. Join us!
Sincerely,
Rob Schanilec
President of the Board
