It’s wonderful having a museum in an historic building. The building adds to the ambiance of the story we’re telling. What’s not so great, though, is the amount of maintenance the building needs on a regular basis. Even worse, sometimes, are the repairs, and have we experienced a doozy this week!
On Monday, November 11, we had a pipe leak in one of the collections rooms in the basement of the Scriver Building. We were able to save all of the wet collections and greatly minimize the damage done to them, but not so with the structure itself. We suddenly have a major reconstruction project on our hands that we certainly never saw coming. The joy of working in an old, historic building!
Coincidentally, it’s Give to the Max Day. Staff was prepared to give a few behind-the-scenes tours of the collection space, but we’ve had to cancel those. We can’t have the public walk into a construction zone! This day of giving across Minnesota would be a GREAT time to support NHS as we deal with a disaster.
We are looking at a hefty bill between the costs of demolition of the damaged sheetrock, reframing and sheetrocking the soffit, potentially tearing up and reinstalling carpet, repainting , and finally cleaning up the basement and moving collections back into place. If you can help us defray costs – even a little – we would be grateful! And if you’d like to lend a hand when it’s time to move back into the space, please let us know. We can always use great volunteers!
The Brighter Other Side, A Collaborative Public Art Project
The Northfield Historical Society and the Northfield Arts Guild are collaborating on a joint public art exhibition titled, “The Brighter Other Side.” Starting December 6-December 23, all members of the Northfield area community are welcomed and encouraged to make and...
Celebrating Preservation: Historic District Designation
Northfield has one of the finest historic districts in the state. Our downtown has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, but many people are still unsure what this means. Listing on the National Register does not mean that the Federal...
Website!
We are in the middle of upgrading our website. If you visit our site and it looks funny, just know that we currently working on it. All of the relevant information will be there, it just may look a little funky. Thanks for understanding.
Thanksgiving
NHS will be closed on Thanksgiving. We will be open November 25 and 26. We will be closed on November 27. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Medal of Honor Recipient Part of Northfield’s History
by Randy Knox The Medal of Honor is the United States of America’s highest military distinction, and since its inception 154 years ago, only 3,495 military service members have received this decoration. One member of this extraordinary group, Adelbert Ames, resided...
Historical Society to host Fred Gonnerman presentation and book signing
The Northfield Historical Society will feature local author and NHS co-founder Fred Gonnerman November 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the society's museum. The event is free and open to the public. Gonnerman will read several passages from his book, The Work with our Hands: The...
Celebrating Preservation: Looking Forward to Looking Back
This is guest column published in the Northfield News by Northfield resident and HPC member Barb Evans. Several events have recently come together to highlight the significance of Northfield’s historic downtown. First, on the national level, The Preservation Act...
Give to the Max, make a year end donation to NHS!
Support the Northfield Historical Society on Give to the Max Day 2016! As the largest online fundraising day in Minnesota, Give to the Max Day brings awareness to local nonprofits and crowd sources fundraising efforts throughout the state. Help us reach our $6,000 end...
Hometown Ties: Carleton Celebrates 150 Years with Northfield, Exhibit Open House
The Northfield Historical Society and Carleton College are pleased to announce that on October 13, the Hometown Ties: Carleton Celebrates 150 Years with Northfield exhibit opens at the Northfield Historical Society, with a free open house. Hometown Ties: Carleton...
Cemetery Stories, October 8, 2016
Cemetery Stories will take place on October 8th at the Northfield Cemetery (across from the High School). This year’s event will include stories from seven of Northfield’s former residents. Guests will hear the life story of Betsy Scofield, Charles Wheaton, Lincoln...