On July 28, 1936, a group of citizens convened at the behest of Sarah Thorp Heald, district supervisor for the Works Progress Administration, to form the Morrison County Historical Society (MCHS). The original founders of MCHS included Mrs. J. K. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stillwell, Mr. Val Kasparek, Mrs. R. L. Cochrane, Mr. and Mrs. Warren Gibson, and Mrs. Julius Jetka. The mission of the fledgling organization, which was officially incorporated on September 17, 1936, was to collect the history of Morrison County events from the time of Zebulon Pike’s 1805 expedition to the present.
Seventy-five years later, the Morrison County Historical Society has grown well past the fledgling stage. It continues to collect, preserve and educate the public on the history of Morrison County, but has expanded its mission to include the area’s history prior to 1805. In 1975, the organization moved from a cramped basement room in the Historic Courthouse to The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum, a spacious and attractive building on the west bank of the Mississippi River directly north of the Pike Creek confluence. During its growth process, the organization has become highly respected for the professionalism it displays in research, exhibits, collections management, use of technology, and publishing.
The Board of Directors is planning a number of activities and events to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Morrison County Historical Society, including 4 coffee parties honoring those 75 and older and community history, a Family Fun Day in June with the theme of aprons, and an annual dinner in September. Details for these events will be forthcoming.
As part of MCHS’s 75th year, we have set a goal of getting 750 friends on Facebook. We’re at 120 so far. To become a friend of MCHS, go to our page and select the Like button next to our name. Encourage your friends to do so as well. Here’s the link:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Morrison-County-Historical-Society/168078406871
Update – February 10, 2011: We simplified our Facebook URL, so now you can find us at this link instead of the one mentioned above: http://www.facebook.com/MorrisonCountyHistoricalSociety
Also, we’re now at 125 followers. Woot! Only 625 to go!
