On to the Second Century!

Over the past year, we’ve been evaluating nearly every aspect of the Bureau County Historical Society. Founded in 1911, the Society has successfully managed its resources for 112 years. In May, the board began a long-range planning committee which is charged with looking towards the future of our campus. We all believe it is bright!

With an eye to the future, this summer, we have engaged contractors for maintenance to keep our buildings in good working order. The Newell Bryant Museum is 170 years old; the Clark Norris Museum is 123 years old; and the Sash Stalter Matson Building is 111 years old. All three buildings on our campus have had general maintenance over their first hundred years and are in relatively good condition. Maintenance, however, is an ongoing practice.

The long-range planning committee is evaluating a new purpose for the former library. The Sash Stalter Matson building is an iconic building with a long history of service to Bureau County residents. With a new purpose, we can create a renovation and construction plan that adds positive impact to the community and will create a facility with access for all.

We are also evaluating our finances. Previous boards and staff have been good stewards of our resources. Our goal is to strengthen and expand our assets. There are many historic events in Bureau County that are not yet discovered or well known. A strong historical society will guarantee the stories of the past to be preserved for future generations.

Through the historical society, our communities have benefitted from the generosity of our donors and members, including Grace Clark Norris who donated our first building in 1948. Those commitments made in the past and present have provided programs for young people and museum patrons and created a facility to store artifacts from as far back as the Revolutionary War. Our long-term goal is to fund museum operations, maintenance and programming for future generations.

We would like your feedback. Send us your thoughts on how we can better serve our county community to museum@ bureauhistory.org.

What’s happening at the Sash Stalter Matson Building?

Maintaining all the structures is an important part of our museums. We are starting the process of giving it a new purpose as part of the historical society campus.

Before the paint goes on, there are window frames, soffits and fascia that need repair. The colors will be the same as the original. Our next project for exterior maintenance is most likely tuck pointing. There are areas that just need restoration. For the interior maintenance, we received bids for getting the electric service inspected and up to date, lighting, interior painting and repair from water damage several years ago. The door to the former children’s library also needs to be replaced.

For a building that was constructed in 1912, it is very solid. These maintenance projects will help keep it that way. We’d like to prepare it for the next 111 years!