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Join us as we explore the rich tapestry of America through conversations with guests from around the U.S. Each episode dives deep into the invaluable work of state and local Museums, Historical and Genealogical Societies. These dedicated organizations are the unsung heroes, preserving our heritage and culture one community at a time. From bustling cities to small towns, they safeguard our collective past for future generations. Discover how these vital institutions, our ”Preservation Oaks,” ensure our stories live on.
Episodes
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Monday Jun 20, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States. Recently the IAGenWeb Organization for Iowa was highlighted. IAGenWeb is a part of USGenWeb, a group of volunteers working together to provide internet websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States. IAGenWeb is non-commercial and fully committed to free access for everyone. The Iowa State Coordinator, Cindy Maher was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks. Have fun and find out more about the organization, the services it offers, and how you can help support them, as you listen to this excellent interview.
The IAGenWeb is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the organization:
The IAGenWeb Project - Iowa Genealogy iagenweb.org
IAGenWeb a USGenWeb Project | Facebook
On every county page there is contact information. There are welcome hosts available to handle any questions.
Email: welcome_to_iagenweb@iagenweb.org
Monday Jun 06, 2022
Monday Jun 06, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States. Recently the Muscatine County Genealogical Society and the County of Muscatine Iowa were highlighted. The Vice President, Mike Wedell was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks. Have fun and find out more about the Society, the services it offers, and how you can help, by listening to this interview.
The Muscatine County Genealogical Society located in Muscatine Iowa is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the Society:
- https://www.facebook.com/Muscatine-County-Genealogical-Society-103580912131362/
- http://iagenweb.org/muscatine/
- You can mail them at: 906 Sunrise Circle, Muscatine, IA 52761
- PHONE: 563-264-1495 President Lynn McCleary or 651-261-9670 and that’s the Vice President Mike Wedell.
- EMAIL: ebmccleary@machlink.com
Monday May 23, 2022
Monday May 23, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States. Recently the Norman Borlaug Heritage was highlighted. Tom Spindler was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks. Have fun and find out more about the Foundation, and how you can help, by listening to this interview.
The Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation located in Cresco Iowa is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the Foundation:
https://www.normanborlaug.org/
Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation –
Addresses to visit: 19518 200th St. and 20399 Timber Ave., Cresco, IA 52136
Address to write: 101 2nd Ave. SW, Cresco, IA 52136
Phone: 563-547-3434
FYI: The Foundation is an all-volunteer organization and does not keep scheduled hours. They can be contacted through the Cresco Chamber of Commerce.
Monday May 09, 2022
Monday May 09, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States. Recently, the Union County Genealogical Society located in Creston Iowa was highlighted. The President, Saundra Leininger was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks. Have fun and find out more about the Society, the services it offers, and how you can help, by listening to this interview.
The Union County Genealogical Society located in Creston Iowa is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
By all means, please join, donate, volunteer, visit, shop online in the Roots Cellar Gift shop, and otherwise support the Union County Genealogical Society. They help all kinds of people every year with their research by mentoring, consulting, and performing research. They have monthly educational programs and an annual genealogy conference; all available for members via Zoom. The costs for research, copies, and membership are very reasonable and you get several excellent benefits for members, including discounts and additional access to the online information they have available! Check it out on their website: unioncgs.org.
The contact information for the Society:
- Welcome to the Union County Iowa Genealogical Society site! (unioncgs.org)
- Matilda Gibson Memorial Library
- 200 West Howard Street
- Creston, Iowa 50801
- Email: unioncgs@gmail.com
- 641-782-2277
Monday Apr 25, 2022
Monday Apr 25, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States. Recently the Winneshiek County Historical Society and the town of Decorah Iowa were highlighted. The President, Stacey Gossling was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks. Have fun and find out more about the Society, the services it offers, and how you can help, by listening to this episode.
The Winneshiek County Historical Society located in Decorah Iowa is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the Society:
- https://www.winneshiekcountyhistoricalsociety.com/
- winneshiek.historical.society@gmail.com
- Winneshiek County Historical Society - 302 S Mill St - P.O. Box 63 - Decorah, IA 52101
- Phone: 563-382-4166
Monday Apr 11, 2022
Monday Apr 11, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights cultural, genealogical, and historical societies and museums throughout the United States.
Recently the Rural Woodbury County Historical Society located in Correctionville, Iowa was highlighted. Treasurer of the Society, Sonya Kostan was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks on Micro Stream Radio™. Find out more about the Society, the services it offers, how you can help, and its history by listening to this excellent interview!
The Society is supported 100% by donations and volunteers. If you haven’t already, please visit, join, donate, and volunteer at the Rural Woodbury Historical Society today!
The Rural Woodbury County Historical Society is truly one of our Preservation Oaks!
The Rural Woodbury County Historical Society | Facebook, or you can mail them at: PO BOX 255, Correctionville IA, 51016 or you can email them at rwchistoricalsociety@gmail.com
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Monday Mar 28, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights cultural, genealogical, and historical societies and museums throughout the United States. Recently the Genealogical Society of Linn County and the town of Cedar Rapids were highlighted. Ruth Armstrong was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks. Find out more about the Society, the services it offers, and its history by listening to this interview.
The Genealogical Society of Linn County Iowa located in Cedar Rapids is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The most pressing priority of the Genealogical Society of Linn County at this time is that the Society is seeking a donor to provide an Ancestry Library Edition subscription to use in order to allow patrons to perform research using Ancestry.com. If you can help, please connect with the Society.
The Genealogical Society of Linn County, Iowa was designated as a Family Search Center in 2020. You can access records on family search that otherwise you would not be able to access.
This quote from Ruth: “We have the most complete collection of Linn County records and materials anywhere on the planet. That we are always free. That we are accessible to anyone of any age. That we have very low fees to make copies and for membership.”
Another quote from Ruth: “We are so dedicated with our volunteers who gather, preserve, digitize, and index these records about the people of Linn County which otherwise would be lost forever!”
The Society is supported 100% by donations and volunteers. Please help support the Genealogical Society of Linn County, Iowa today! Ruth reviewed the funding and fundraising particulars of the society, so you know where the funds are going and that the priorities are.
The contact information for the Society:
- Home (weebly.com) - http://gensoclinncoia.weebly.com/
- GenSocLinnCoIA@aol.com
- Phone 319-369-0022
- 813 1st Ave SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52406 - The Genealogical Society is located in the lower level of the Masonic Library & Museum. Free parking is available in the rear parking lot across the alley behind the building. Free parking is also available in the PCI parkade. Enter at the back of the building and take the stairs to the lower level. Handicap accessible accommodations are available; please call ahead so arrangements can be made.
- The Society is also on Facebook: Genealogical Society of Linn County Iowa | Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GenealogyLinnCo/
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Monday Mar 14, 2022
In this episode, Sean Thomas Radcliff meets with Dave Hurrelbrink, from the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas.
Dave was so kind by spending time with us. He is a dedicated trailblazer and chief cheerleader of this organization which was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1960.
This NATIONAL Center has many diverse things to see and do AND there is a continual stream of fun, educational, and interesting events for the public.
The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame is truly one of our nation’s Preservation Oaks! The three million or so people in the local counties of Wyandot, Johnson, or Leavenworth in Kansas, OR Jackson, Clay, or Platt in Missouri are very lucky to have the Center nearby.
Some highlights from this episode:
A few of the Center’s most pressing needs at this time:
- Dave mentioned that the Center needs more volunteers since they have thousands of visitors each year. There is a wide variety of things that need to get done every day, so volunteers are needed and can have a lot of fun! Please consider volunteering! If you live in Wyandot County, Kansas City, Johnson County, or Leavenworth County Kansas, OR Jackson County, Clay County, or Platt County Missouri – then it’s a short drive to the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame for a visit or to volunteer.
- Dave said the “Old School House” has been out in the weather for about a hundred years and requires repairs. If you’re a contractor, builder, handy-man or woman, and would like to help, please contact the Center at 913-721-1075 and talk with Judy!
- In my opinion and I think Dave would agree; that The National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame seems to have a bit of an invisibility problem, just like Agriculture itself does in our modern society. That needs to change. Until someone creates the “replicator” like they had on the television show “Star Trek”, all of us require agriculture and need to support and promote the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame. It’s the HUB of all national agricultural information and preservation, whether it is the history of farming, what’s going on today with farming, or the future of farming.
Highlights:
- Quote from Dave: “Without agriculture, you’d be hungry, naked, and sober!”.
- The National Agricultural Center has more agricultural equipment than the Smithsonian has.
- In this episode: We learn about world-famous celebrity camel named Lucy and how she made a two-day dash for the North Pole during the holiday season!
- We learn about the mission of the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame which is to Honor, Educate, and Promote agriculture. The Center conducts various programs with school children, high school students, and visitors to accomplish this mission.
- We learn about some of the past inductees of the Agricultural Hall of Fame.
- Dave discussed the National Farmers Memorial, its purpose, and how it was created.
- Dave reviewed a new exhibit regarding Life in America in the 1930s during the Great Depression.
- Give yourself about 3 hours to tour the museum and grounds. It can take much longer because of the size of the collection. It would take me 3 hours just to get through the art gallery!
- Dave reviews the Smith Event Barn that visitors can rent for most any event.
- For the kids – there’s a very cool small gauge railway that children of all ages can ride!
- Buy a brick for the Walk of Fame with your name or other info on it! If you would like to have your family honored on the grounds for as long as the brick lasts (which is a long time), connect with the Center to get yours today!
- We learn about how Linemen are still a critical part of maintaining the rural power grid and each year the Center holds a large Lineman’s Rodeo. A lot of people attend this event, so it is really fun and interesting.
- This year on April 23rd, at the first event of the season, Barnyard Babies, the Center will host the people who maintain the large wind turbines across the country!
- If you’re a listener in the area the National Agricultural Center serves, OR if you’re a farmer, agriculture scientist, or ag related business and you’re not already a sponsor, please consider supporting and visiting the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas!
- The contact information for the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame is:
- https://www.aghalloffame.com/
- The National Agricultural Center & Hall of Fame | Facebook
- 630 N. 126th Street, Bonner Springs, KS 66012
- 913-721-1075
- info@AgHallofFame.com
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Monday Feb 28, 2022
In this episode, we had the good fortune to meet Debbie Berges, Dale Renfro, and Linda Roggenkamp who are leaders of the Onaga Historical Society located in Onaga, Kansas.
They were so kind to share their time to help educate listeners and myself about Onaga, the Historical Society and its museums, and the current list of most pressing needs and priorities.
Happy 47th Birthday on February 3rd to the Onaga Historical Society. The Society has been active since 1975 thanks to the good people of Onaga!
When you visit Onaga, the Historical Society and Museums, you should plan to spend the day, because it’ll take upwards of 2-3 hours to experience the history on display!
If you’re visiting from outside the area, you might want to plan to spend a week to see all the sites and various area Societies since there are five in Pottawattamie County.
Now on to the Historical Society priorities:
- The First priority is a new building
- Proper preservation of historic artifacts.
- Internet access. They don’t have Internet access!
- Merchant account. They don’t take credit cards!
- Phone system!
The historical society has a wide range and volume of programs and events throughout the year. Some of them are:
- Veterans Day reception at the historical society.
- Hosting cemetery tours and a review of the history of the people buried there.
- The Society provides education for the community and school children with several events a year.
- The Society hosts an annual membership and community meeting to describe progress being made and next steps.
- They work with the Onaga Library on the Summer Reading program and crafts for the children.
- The society helps to facilitate the annual Heritage days event in October for the community. At this event, there are octogenarian plus brothers who play bluegrass music all day long.
During the episode, Debbie, Dale, and Linda gave credit where credit is due by thanking and complimenting the vast array of good people who volunteer. Again, I’m not going to name everyone, since you’ll get the information as you listen to the episode, but just a few are:
- High school student, who for the past 4 years each summer photographs the artifacts so they can be catalogued properly.
- The veteran who donated his military uniform from the war on terror who purchased the case to display the uniforms in.
- The young man who donates the yard work for the society.
- A local man who owns a sawmill and is creating boards from the trees removed from the property in order to clear space for the new building. He is making a recognition board and other things from the wood for use by the Society.
- There is something for anyone to do.
Anyone know what a Wigwag is? You’ll learn this in this episode.
We learn a bit about the Historical Society’s railroad museum. They have track laid, a boxcar that hauled automobiles. On the inside of that museum there are railroad exhibits and artifacts. Call for a tour today!
We learn how expensive it was for the historical society to properly preserve a pioneer log cabin. A sump pump had to be installed to keep the water out of this historical property because it may cause damage. So glad that cabin has been saved! The cabin was inhabited until the 1940’s. It was discovered as it was encased in a house they were tearing down.
We learn about a rare 1861 Baker & Grover sewing machine that most likely arrived in Kansas by covered wagon. The historical society restored it to working order and to preserve it for future Onagans.
We learn about an intact egg from the 1940s that was found in the attic of the chicken coop! It is on display.
We learned about the octagonal 1921 pavilion at the Onaga fairgrounds! It was completely restored in the early 2000’s and is still used today during the fair and for other community events as well! Still serving the community! The building was recognized in 2021 for being 100 years old!
We learn what exhibits are displayed in the two Society Museum buildings. So much Onaga history.
The historical society created many oral histories of Vietnam era veterans. They are being preserved at the historical society.
Oh, my there’s a coffin with a window in it and is believed to have been used in some of the ceremonies for the Odd Fellows!
Dale let us know WHY the Western Railroad was interested in starting the town of Onaga!
We learn about the funding and grants the Society has used to make consistent improvements for the community. The Society only takes donations for the work they do helping people with Genealogy research and for admission to tour the museums and buildings on the grounds. Membership is just $5.00 per year! You can get a lifetime membership for $100!
There is a book created by the Society called “The History of Onaga AND…”. It was created in 1982 and is on sale at the Historical Society. Get one when you visit!
And finally, Debbie read a statement from the previous President which perfectly describes the benefits of becoming a member of the Society, volunteering, visiting, and donating!
- If you’re a listener in the area the society serves, OR if you’re a listener researching ancestors from the O-nay-ga Kansas area and you’re not already a member, please consider joining and supporting the society!
- The contact information for the Society is:
- Onaga Historical Society | Facebook
- onagahistory@gmail.com
- Mail: Onaga Historical Society, P.O. Box 61; Onaga, KS 66521
- Closed from October through April. Open by appointment by contacting onagahistory@gmail.com or calling 785-889-7104, 785-844-0202 or 785-889-4546. Leave a message if necessary and we will get back to you.
- Donate using PayPal or write a check to P.O. Box 61, Onaga, KS. 66521.
I hope this episode helps the audience understand how valuable the society is within the community and what kinds of excellent services they offer their members and the public.
The Onaga Historical Society is truly one of our Nation’s Preservation Oaks!
Monday Feb 14, 2022
Monday Feb 14, 2022
In this episode, Sean Thomas meets with Austin Anders and Andrew Pankratz, from the Dickinson County Historical Society in Abilene, Kansas.
Austin and Andrew were so kind in spending time with us. They are very focused and dedicated to sharing Dickinson County history!
It’s clear that the Dickinson County Historical Society is very well managed and truly one of our nation’s Preservation Oaks! Dickinson County residents and members of the Society are very lucky to have such a dedicated and professional team managing the Society! When you visit the Heritage center, you’re getting three museums in one! There are some great benefits when you become a member. Visit, Join, and Donate to the Dickinson County Historical Society today.
Some highlights from this episode:
- The number one priority of the Society at this time is a building expansion to use as an event venue for the county. Please donate to this important milestone. They are also looking to expand their educational programs and expand their agricultural artifact storage area. Of course, the society can always use help with donations for general maintenance and upkeep.
- Austin related a couple of ghost stories. First is a gory ghost story regarding the local golf course and the 2nd about a grave monument at the local cemetery.
- We learn about Abilene Kansas history as a Cow Town at the end of the thousand-mile Chisholm trail, as well as its famous Sheriffs Tom Smith and Wild Bill Hickock. You find out how Wild Bill shot the wrong man and left Abilene not long after!
- We learn how the citizens of Abilene shut down the cattle trade in the city so they could realize a more civil town vs. a wild cow town!
- We find out how Abilene got its name from the bible.
- Due to Covid, attendance at the Heritage Center is down impacting Society funding. Please plan a visit, donate, and join the Dickinson County Historical Society today!
- We chatted about President Dwight Eisenhauer who grew up in Abilene and Dickinson County. His boyhood home and Presidential Library are in Abilene.
- We review the history of Dickinson County.
- Surprisingly, Abilene is known as the “Greyhound Capital of the World”. Listen to find out why!
- Austin and Andrew review several of the Society’s annual events in Dickinson County.
- Austin and Andrew review how the Society works with children throughout the County.
- Austin related a story about pioneer living and the snake that crawled out of the bed.
- Andrew related the history of A.B. Seelye who made patent medicine in the county.
- Andrew related the history of C. L. Brown and the beginnings of Sprint telephone company.
- The Society has a research library and will help people trace their family lineage.
- There was an amusement park that C. L. Brown ran in the county where a huge number of people took their summer entertainment and relaxation.
- We chatted about the W. C. Parker Carousel from 1901 that’s located on the Society’s grounds. A beautiful mechanism that no one produces anymore.
- Austin and Andrew relay how they got started preserving and sharing history. With Andrew, sharing and preserving history runs in his family!
- We learn about election irregularities that occurred in Dickinson County.
- Austin provides more details about the 18 buildings located on the Society property. Well worth a visit to see them all!
- The Society’s Heritage Center has a gift shop where they sell historical books about the area and there’s old fashioned stick candy available for the kids!
If you’re a listener in the area the society serves, OR if you’re a listener researching ancestors in the community the society serves and you’re not already a member, please consider joining and supporting the society!
Just to review one last time the contact information for the Dickinson County Historical Society. To connect with the Society, their address is:
Dickinson County Historical Society
412 S. Campbell St.
Abilene, KS 67410
+1-785-263-2681
heritagecenterdk@sbcglobal.net
www.dickinsoncountyhistoricalsociety.com
Dickinson County Historical Society and Museum | Facebook
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
For this episode, Sean Thomas caught up with Ms. Emily Thabes, the Executive Director of the Beltrami County Historical Society located in Bemidji Minnesota. I think after listening to the program, you’ll agree that she and her team are sustaining a whirlwind of activity all of which provides value to the community!
We learned about how the historical society is working on building and improving the complicated relationships between the historical society and the native Ojibwe and Dakota 1st nations located in the county.
Emily is excited to share a new exhibit located at the historical society Depot called: Beltrami Women in Winter Sports. There are a number of Beltrami County women athletes who have made it to the Olympics.
We learn about a great man by the name of John Morrison who was a renaissance man, running a General Store and Trading Post, filling the role of Postmaster, being a Headmaster of a local school, and starting the Historical Society.
The Beltrami Historical Society will celebrate their seventieth anniversary in 2022. There are also anniversaries this year for the federal Title IV law and the Winter Olympics!
Early in the society’s history, in the 1950’s; Charles Vandersluis collected 150+ oral histories from residents of Beltrami County. Many of them are from native American inhabitants. The society is working on digitizing and transcribing these and will make them available online via their website. These items are pure GOLD and wonderful.
The society serves over 80 townships, native nations, and reservations in the county. They are planning to go on the road to complete a “Township Tour” throughout the County.
The society is partnering with a consortium of Minnesota museums and historical societies to create exhibits about a history of toys.
Learn about the two grants for core work to support collection preservation that the historical society were awarded recently.
The society is redoing both their online website store and the gift shop in the historical society depot.
Volunteers always needed and there is a wide range of opportunities for volunteers. Something for everyone. Helping with tours, and collection management work. Digitization of materials. Setting up gift shop and online store. Writing articles, designing brochures. To volunteer, simply fill out the volunteer form on the website. It is also available at the society depot.
We review the multitude of excellent programs that the society has designed to share and offer education.
We review Emily’s list of the most immediate priorities for the public to help with.
Many thanks to Emily for taking the time to meet with Preservation Oaks! If you’re a listener in the area the society serves, OR if you’re a listener researching ancestors in the community the society serves and you’re not already a member, please consider joining and supporting the society! There are a number of great benefits conferred upon members!
You can connect with the Beltrami County Historical Society at their website at
Beltrami County Historical Society (beltramihistory.org)
130 Minnesota Ave SW
Bemidji, MN 56601
PHONE: 2184443376
EMAIL: depot@beltramihistory.org
I hope this information helps the audience understand how valuable the society is the community and what kinds of excellent services they have to offer to their members and the public. The Beltrami Historical Society is truly one of our Preservation Oaks!
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Monday Jan 17, 2022
In this episode, Sean Thomas meets with Ms. Melody Lager, the President of the Board of the Heartland Museum located in Clarion, Iowa.
Sean shares his thoughts and hopes regarding the new year and recognizes our national Martin Luther King holiday.
We learned that the Heartland Museum is a very diverse and unique regional museum! Melody shared an overview of the museum, letting us know that it maintains a collection of antique restored tractors and farm machinery, horse drawn farm equipment and buggies, farm and construction toys, a re-creation of Main Streets in the Victorian Age, the 1930’s and 1950’s. This includes a tribute to Alvina Sellers who was known as the “Iowa Hat Lady”.
The museum continues its mission and growth into 2022. Melody shared that the highest priority at this time for the museum is a new building; the cost of which is high; but the museum is out of space at this time. In order to increase the history preserved in the museum, another building is needed. Please donate to this worthy cause!
Melody mentioned the following events being planned for this year:
- An open house murder mystery based on a murder that occurred in Clarion in the late 1800’s. This is being planned for May 2022.
- Two new exhibits are being installed and Melody is planning a weekend extravaganza to share these with the public and donors.
- The museum has a new horse that will be used to be harnessed to buggies. That horse needs a name and so the museum will sponsor a “Name that horse” contest. Get involved and help name the horse!
- Several presentations on Barns, the Civil War, and Geocaching. The Museum has a site used by the public for Geocaching! Sounds great! Just connect with the Museum to have some fun!
There is a cutter snow sled buggy made by the Garland Company in the museum’s collection. As far as anyone knows, it is the only one in the country and very beautiful! She shared some of the history of this rare and unique piece.
Very cool! The town of Clarion is where the 4H emblem and clubs started in the US. The museum has the schoolhouse there it all began on the grounds that you can see!
You can also use Smile.Amazon.com to automatically donate to the museum every time you shop. Right now, not a lot of people use it. Please sign up to help raise the funds for the new building!
There is so much to see that we didn’t have time to review! If any listeners are anywhere near Clarion, IA. I recommend planning a trip to visit this fantastic resource! The folks in Clarion and Wright County are so lucky to have this jewel in their county; preserving their history, values, and culture; and then sharing it for the benefit of the County’s residents of all ages. This is really a treasure!
The Museum is open all week and including Saturdays, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The rest of the year, they need you to call to make an appointment to complete the tour.
If you’re a listener in the area the museum serves, and you’re not already a donor, then please consider donating and supporting them! They are out of space and need to build a new building in order to preserve and offer more for the County!
The Heartland Museum is truly one of our nation’s Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the Heartland Museum is:
Heartland Museum Antiques, Tractors, Old time stores; Clarion Iowa
Address: 119 SW 9th St
PO Box 652
Clarion, IA 50525
Phone: 515-602-6000
Email: heartlandclarion@gmail.com
Monday Jan 03, 2022
Monday Jan 03, 2022
Monday Dec 20, 2021
Monday Dec 20, 2021
In this CHRISTMAS Episode, Sean meets with Mr. David Reed, the Chief Curator and “Story Teller of Truth”, from the Reno County Museum and Historical Society located in Hutchinson, Kansas.
David shared a Hutch News newspaper article from January 2, 1873 which described one of the first Christmas celebrations in Hutchinson.
We discuss the great State Fair controversy and how President Taft helped resolve the issue in 1913.
David shared that both Reno County and City of Hutchinson are 150 years old and how the area will celebrate this in 2022.
Sean Thomas goes ga-ga over the insane coolness of the Strataca mine that the Society manages and where the Society sponsors and annual 5k run, a 10k run, and the Tour de Salt bicycle race, all of which are 650 feet underground! There is nowhere else like this across the world! There is also a conference center and an annual Murder Mystery theatre that takes place.
We learn about David’s background, his passion for history, and his belief that museums not only curate history but also culture.
David reviews how a new style of exhibit is being implemented into the museum and is forecasting completion sometime next year.
We discuss the annual Halloween event which is live-streamed and the annual Christmas in the Courtyard specifically designed for the community to relax and meet the museum staff.
We discuss a project where over 100 oral histories provided by local African Americans in the county were collected and archived, and how the Society is planning to make this treasure-trove of history available to the public.
We learned about the life and times of Solomon Butler, a great man hailing from Hutchinson; who changed Reno County forever and for the better. More to come about Solomon from a Professor at Dubuque University planning to publish a book about Solomon’s life.
We learned about Ms. Pat Mitchell, a local Historian and renaissance woman who died much too early and whose life’s work was donated to the Reno County Historical Society and is a huge collection; rivaling the number of artifacts the Museum had prior to her generous gift. The Society is working to make this totally and historically impressive collection available to the public.
We find out how Reno County was named after General Reno, and how Hutchinson was named after C.C. Hutchinson.
We learned about the day the Reno County Courthouse sank into the Salt Mine and needed to be replaced, and how the Museum has an undeteriorated 150-year-old pickle in a jar!
We learn that Reno County Kansas IS where Morton Salt comes from!
We discussed the two National Historic Districts in the area and the Business College building.
We learn about the founding of the Reno County Museum and how it evolved into the facilities it occupies today.
We learn about Ben Blanchard and the founding of South Hutchinson and the discovery of salt underground.
David and Sean had fun during their time together and we learned that the Reno County Museum and Historical Society (renocomuseum.org) is without a doubt one of our great Nation’s Preservation Oaks!