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Lakeville Area Historical Society
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2009 ANNUAL REPORT
The Lakeville Area Historical Society marked its 14th year in existence in July
2009. At this time, membership consists of 66 individual memberships and
nine corporate memberships. An additional 68 families and organizations
have requested to be included on a mailing list of non-members and
friends.
Volunteers continue to contribute more than 1,000 hours annually. Without
the support of the volunteers, it would not be possible to continue the
mission of preserving the history of the Lakeville area. Students, scout
groups and others conduct research and learn the history of the area by
visiting the variety of displays in the building.
A fifth interpretive historical marker was installed on the former Lenihan
building downtown. Four other markers were previously installed at Antlers
Park, the former location of the Weichselbaum Resort, the original Village
Hall/Fire Hall building, and the original bank building. This project was
funded in part by grants from the Minnesota Historical Society and ECM
Publishing, publisher of Thisweek Newspapers.
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This was the 13 consecutive year of publishing a Lakeville Historical
Calendar. The calendars continue to be popular, with many corporate
members purchasing them as a promotional item for their businesses. The
calendars are available at several local retailers, City Hall, and at the
Historical Society building. Commemorative sets are also available and
contain all of the previously published calendars, for a total of 156 photos.
The calendars are the LAHS’s major fund raiser.
“Sharing Our Best”, the LAHS commemorative cookbook is still available in
limited supply.
2009 Public Programs: Several public programs were offered in 2009. In
addition to mailings to the membership, news releases were published in
the local papers, inviting the public to attend these events:
More than 40 people attended “Lakeville through the Years”, part of
the “One Book, One Lakeville” Community Reads program on
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February 23. The presentation corresponded to the theme of the
Lakeville Area Historical Society
2009 Annual Report
book with photos and historical information about the Lakeville Fire
Department. The LFD was provided with a copy of the PowerPoint.
Sixteen people registered for a trip to the History Theatre in St. Paul to
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see, “20 Days to Find a Wife” on May 7.
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On May 18 Colton Witte and Sean Bloomfield, two students from
the University of Minnesota Mankato, presented slides and
information on their canoe trip from Chaska to Hudson Bay,
retracing the Eric Sevareid trip.
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On October 19 Kathy Machowski, a paranormal investigator,
presented “Minnesota Beyond the Veil”. This was a very popular
program on ghost hunting and was attended by 48 people.
Board members compiled informational packets for distribution to visitors
and tour groups. The downtown tour guide was also updated. LAHS
continued to expand its collection of obituaries and donated materials,
including paper items, photographs and memorabilia.
Election of 2010 Officers was held at the Annual meeting in February. This
year’s president is Dianne Lamb, vice president is Barb Strommer, treasurer
is Wally Potter and secretary is Kathy Neutz. Trustees are Tonete Jensen,
Howie Lovelace, Betty Jo Weichselbaum, Earl Schindeldecker, Dan
Patenaude and newest trustee Dave Martinson. Judi Hawkins is the City of
Lakeville’s liaison.
The Historical Society is extremely appreciative of the continued donation
of memorabilia that helps fulfill their mission to document, collect, preserve
and teach the history of the Lakeville area.
Members of the Historical Society are grateful to the City of Lakeville for
furnishing the building and its maintenance. A visit by the Lakeville Mayor
and City Council members was also greatly appreciated.