Progress — 2014
Page 35
Eagle River Historical Society
continues new museum renovations
The Eagle River Historical Society
is approaching the finish line for a project it kicked off in December of 2012,
as volunteers continue to work and society members persist in raising funds
for renovations to the new museum
building on Highway 45, which is slated to hold its grand opening in May.
The society was incorporated on Dec.
29, 1954, under the name of Vilas County Historical Society. On May 22, 1966,
the name was changed to the Eagle River Historical Society. The society was
reorganized again in 1989 as the Headwaters Historical Society Inc. and, in
1994, the articles of incorporation were
changed to read “Eagle River Historical
Society.” This is the current name and
the Internal Revenue Service nonprofit
designation is listed under this name.
Until 1997, there was no formal exhibition space. At that time, natural resources specialty school Trees for Tomorrow offered rental space and the
first historical museum came into being.
However, the lease was not renewed
in 2011 because the center needed space
for expansion. Most of the Eagle River
Historical Society’s collection went into
storage at that time, and a small
amount was kept on display in the railroad depot in downtown Eagle River.
Soon after, a fundraising program
was started in an effort to acquire a
permanent home for the museum. In
December of 2012, a building was purchased to house the new museum.
“The structure was formerly part of
an old boy’s camp and has historical
value in its own right,” said Eagle River Historical Society Vice President
Karen Sailer. “For the past year it has
been under renovation and is scheduled to open formally in May.”
The entire project — including the
purchase and the renovations — has
been budgeted at just more than
$250,000. The balance of the purchase
price is on track for payment and the
renovation is within $25,000 of being
fully funded, both through donations of
funds and gifts of labor and materials.
This outpouring of public support has
been the mainstay of the project.
“It has been just over a year since
the Eagle River Historical Society purchased the building we now call home,”
said Sailer. “Actual construction began
in March. The end is not only in sight
— we can reach out and touch it!”
Beginning with a rummage sale to
empty the building, volunteer workers
moved through a complete demolition of
interior partitions. They reframed for
bathrooms and offices, removed old ceiling tile and insulation to make the basement suitable for collection storage, improved parking areas, constructed new
This was the scene inside the Eagle River Historical Society’s
new museum during the summer of 2013. Volunteers have con-
entries, built attractive new landscaping around the building, hung paneling
and drywall, laid tile and carpet, and refinished the original hardwood floors.
Throughout the past year, area volunteers have also dug ditches and spent
countless hours staining and painting.
The outpouring of support from community members willing to get their hands
dirty has been the saving grace of the
project, according to Sailer.
“They have sorted lumber, scrubbed
walls and chiseled tiles from floors,”
she said. “But we’re at a point where
volunteers cannot carry us alone. Carpet, light fixtures and display materials will have to be purchased.”
The historical society has several
skilled volunteers who continue to
work on the carpentry finishing.
“Among those are a local painting
contractor, who has committed to the
walls and ceilings of the service areas,
and numerous others doing the less
skilled tasks,” said Sailer.
Although nearly all of the paneling
is up on the structure’s interior, volunteers will continue working until the
museum opens.
The society’s current fundraising effort is for the final phase of construction, and the group’s stated goal of
$25,000 was budgeted to cover light
fixtures, display construction and miscellaneous details.
“Although we do need displays built
tinued to work since then and the society plans to open the museum Memorial Day weekend.
—NEWS-REVIEW PHOTO
and need to purchase light fixtures,
we’re firm on an opening date of May
24 on Memorial Day weekend,” said
Sailer. “If we cannot finish the lighting
and custom-built fixtures, we will compromise until we can afford them, but
we hope all will be done.”
In the future, the Eagle River Historical Society will continue its fundraising
efforts with its traditional root beer
float sales, sales in the museum shop of
books, T-shirts, puzzles and photos and
a Fourth of July 50/50 raffle.
The continued support from area
businesses and organizations is due in
a large part to the community value of
a historical museum.
Investments in the cultural sector of
a city can pay off through increased
economic activity, according to Sailer.
She said the Depot Museum on Railroad Street, despite its limitations, tallied more than 3,000 visitors in the
summer of 2012.
“Museums are an amenity that
draw visitors,” she said. “And tourism
is lifeblood to Eagle River. A vibrant
cultural life is essential for the economic life of a city.”
In addition to housing, education
and medical care, cultural amenities
are a factor people consider in choosing
a home, according to Sailer.
“Eagle River needs to continue developing that aspect of our community,” she said. “We have tremendous en-
thusiasm. However, we can't complete
this project without the support of the
community.”
A history program also is in development for 4-year-old kindergarten
through grade 12, and is being piloted
in the early stages at St. Germain Elementary School.
Students choose, research and create a display on a local history topic
with research assistance from society
members.
The historical society plans to set
aside space for the project, while the
students could act as tour guides for
their own displays.
In-class programs based on grade
level also will be developed, according
to Sailer.
The first program, a Day at School
in Past Times, also is being piloted at
St. Germain Elementary School. The
program features a typical school d