Museum expansion started

—Two-fifths of $256,000 price tag already pledged

 

CRESCO - “Our museum is full, and we have more stuff to fill it,” Barb Prochaska told a group of individuals at a kick-off event for fund-raising on April 17.
The president of Howard County Historical Society added, “We already know we have more than enough stuff to fill an addition.”
The proposed expansion is 26x100 feet and will attach directly west of the current Historical Preservation Museum at the Fairgrounds. The goal is $256,000 for the building, shelving and handicapped parking, although it all depends on current prices.
The first donation for the expansion was realized in February 2017, when Alum-Line Trailers was awarded the Green Manufacturing Award, which came with a check for $9,250 to be given to a non-profit of their choice.
“That was seed money,” Prochaska stated, “and now we are asking business people and professional people of [Howard County]. No pledge is too big or too small.”
Tom Barnes, Secretary of the Fair Board, then gave some background on the present museum. “In 2004, Irene Erickson said someone wanted to give a couple tractors.” 
It was first thought a 40x60 pole barn would be sufficient, but after a committee of Historical Society and Fair Board members got together, it grew. Two years later, in 2006, the $450,000 museum opened free and clear. 
“People step up to the plate. They put their money where their mouth is. When we first designed this building, we designed it for expansion. It’s neat to see the community support what we do here.”
The Historical Society already has its first item for the new wing placed . . . a cell from the old jail. The building will be constructed around the cell!
To soften up those invited, wine and cheese were served as well as desserts made by  tuxedoed Fair Board member Kenny Waller and popcorn by another tuxedoed Fair Board member, Joe Wacha.
Schmoozing the locals helped since $100,000 was raised by the end of the event. Half of that was pledged by CUSB. Prochaska said, “Thank you, Scott [Thomson]. He’s doing this for his dad, who was a big supporter of the Historical Society.”
Barnes said it all when he stated, “If we don’t remember where we came from, we can’t plan for where we’re going. We have to preserve our past.” And one way to do that is to donate to the new museum expansion. 

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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