01-09-1978 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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• �, REGULAR MEETING OF TFiE ORONO COUNCIL, JANUARY 9 , 1978 Page 15 The Museum had its origin in 1907 as the ?aestern WESTERN HENNEPIN COUPITY Hennepin Territorial Pioneer ASsociation. Early PIONEER ASSOCIATION pioneers of this area, or their descendants , (Continued) returned home each year for reunions; to rehash old times and to renew old friendships. Some � of those people were collectors of things that were a part of that life. These articles were stored in barns, etc. and later partly housed in the basement of the Long Lake State Bank. When that space was needed for banking, at the same tirie, the present quarters in the old District 50 School became available and the original organization was revamped and the build- ing �urchased in 1968. Thus, the rZuseum came into being. Briefly, the Museum involves the old District 50 building with four rooms on main floor, a balcony, picture gallery, office and kitchen. Out buildings _ are the Carriage House and Transportation Annex and the old North Log Cabin School. The PZuseum is governed by a 24-member board of directors of which fifty percent are residents of Orono. tionthly meetings take care of the business at hand. This , basically, is our story and we now come to the crux of the matter, which is financial support. Legally, it is within the power of your City to do so. Piinnesota Statute, Section 138. 053, Fiistorical Societies, a copy of which is attached, gives the authority. It permits the governing body of any village, borough or town, excepting cities of first class, to appropriate annually an amount from its general fund of not to exceed one mil of the assessed value of taxable property in the city, village, borough or to�an, but not to exceed $500 to a recognized museum. We of W.H.P.A. are eligible under this legislation. We are recognized by the P�innesota fiistorical Society. Any questions relative to this legislation and our eligibility can be cleared through l�ir. David W. i7ystuen, Director of Field Services for the Minnesota Historical Society. We of W.H.P.A. feel that your museum is a very worthwhile addition and is deserving of whatever support available and ask that your body give the matter full consideration and allow the financial support perr.titted �nder the above statute. We will be most happy to answer any questions that may arise relative to our operation. (Continued)