The Rock County Historical Society would like the county to increase its annual contribution from $10,00 to $35,000.
Society president Betty Mann addressed commissioners at their June 2 meeting about continuing a $25,000-per-year contribution the county has been paying for six years as part of a capital improvement pledge.
“As your $25,000/year building fund pledge sunsets in 2020, we humbly ask that you continue to support the Rock County Historical Society by maintaining that annual contribution in the future,” Mann wrote.
Commissioners tabled a decision on Mann’s request and will include it in this summer’s 2021 budgeting process.
Commissioner Greg Burger, a member of the Historical Society Board of Directors, abstained from the vote.
Burger presented an update on the $800,000 capital improvement project that moved the Historical Society to the former Herman Motor Company building and remodeled the former car dealership and service garage into the History Center.
Six years ago, the county pledged $150,000, or $25,000 a year, for six years to the building fund. The last $25,000 payment will be made this fall.
Historical Society directors also plan to make their last building payment this year.
“We have paid down the $800,000-some loan to $63,500,” Burger said. “If everyone pays their pledges, we hope to be debt-free this year.”
The society expects $82,000 in pledges for 2020. That amount will also retire a facade improvement loan and a small city improvement loan totaling $17,500.
Commissioners tour the History Center
After the June 2 regular meeting, commissioners toured the History Center in Luverne.
Mann greeted them in the main display area at the History Center, surrounded by the curated items she had a hand in bringing to the East Main Street facility.
“I’ve just turned 90,” she said. “I won’t always be here to continue doing this.”
Society board members propose hiring a paid curator and expanding the History Center hours, if the county decides to increase the annual contribution from $10,000 to $35,000.
The county’s current $10,000 contribution comprises 23 percent of the society’s $43,000 budget for 2020 and includes the operation of the History Center as well as the Hinkly House Museum.
Memberships make up 42 percent with donations comprising 17 percent.
“Last year we ended up losing $2,400,” Burger said during a budget presentation during the board meeting.
Any capital improvements are dependent on independent donations, the largest donor being Mann herself.
“Betty has been unbelievable in dipping into her personal dollars for a lot of the capital improvements here,” Burger added. “This is not going to last forever.”
In addition, Mann’s display of her personal nutcracker collection is attributed to bringing 5,000 visitors, who signed the guestbook in 2019, to the History Center.
“The nutcrackers bring them in and we show them everything else,” Mann said.
The coronavirus pandemic closed the History Center to visitors since March, but volunteers continued to archive materials and complete research requests.
The center is currently in the process of reopening with limited hours.
Prior to the pandemic, volunteers had worked with members in the county’s small communities to curate more information for the History Center and organize a celebration of the county’s 150th anniversary.
COVID-19 has all but postponed all plans.
“We were expecting a tremendous summer celebrating,” Mann said. “Maybe next year.”
For the rest of this year, focus continues on curating materials along with securing funds.
“I think we have a great building and I hope you do, too,” Mann said.