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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 Aug 15, 2022
Monday Aug 15, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States. Recently the Indian Creek Historical Society located in Hastings Iowa was highlighted. The President of the Board, Bil McGrew and colleagues Jeff Christiansen, Jim Shellhammer, and Rick Mabary were 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 Indian Creek Historical Society located in Hastings Iowa is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the Society:
https://www.indiancreekhs.com/
Indian Creek Historical Society | Facebook
59256 380th St. Hastings Iowa 51540
Phone (712) 824-7730
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Monday Aug 01, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States.
Recently the Ford County Historical Society and Dodge City Kansas were highlighted. The President, Kent Stehlik and colleagues Connie Penick, Doug Austen, and Sonya Hughes were 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 Ford County Historical Society located in Dodge City Kansas is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the Society:
http://kansashistory.us/fordco/
Ford County Historical Society | Facebook
EMAIL: info@fordcountyhistory.org
ADDRESS: PO Box 131, Dodge City, KS 67801-0131
PHONE: 620-561-1925
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States. Recently the Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum located in Goessel Kansas was highlighted. Brian Stucky was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks.
Have fun and find out more about the Museum, the services it offers, and how you can help, by listening to this interview.
The Mennonite Heritage and Agricultural Museum located in Goessel Kansas is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the Museum:
- Facebook: @MennoniteHeritageandAgriculturalMuseum
- Internet: http://www.goesselmuseum.com/
- Email: goesselmuseum@gmail.com
- Phone: (620) 367-8200
- Address: 200 Poplar St, Goessel, KS 67053
- Museum admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids up to age 13.
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Preservation Oaks highlights Museums, Cultural and Heritage Institutions, Historical and Genealogical Societies across the United States.
On this, our Independence Day episode, the Iowa Falls Historical Society and the town of Iowa Falls Iowa were highlighted. The outgoing President and now the Marketing and Communications Director, Paul Hackbarth was interviewed by Sean Radcliff, creator of Preservation Oaks.
Have fun listening to the interview to find out more about the Society, the services it offers, and how you can help.
The Iowa Falls Historical Society located in Iowa Falls Iowa is truly one of our nation's Preservation Oaks!
The contact information for the Society:
i. Facebook: Iowa Falls Historical Society 2022 | Facebook
ii. Address is: 519 Stevens Street P.O. Box 364 Iowa Falls, IA 50126
iii. Phone at: (641) 648-4603
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