The Polk County Historical Society (PCHS) has made a few updates to the grounds over the past year with a focus on drawing attention and appealing to visitors. They also have a significant project in the works for 2020.
Jerry Amiot, President of the PCHS, said they completed several projects over the winter. “Over the winter, even though the weather was ideal, we did several inside projects,” said Amiot. “In December we completed the renovation of the signs out front, taking one sign and dividing it to be more visible as traffic passes on the highway. In addition, we remodeled the front interior area of the main museum building to remove clutter and make the first impression as you walk into the main building more appealing and attractive. That ran us about $1,000.”
Additional exterior work will take place this summer. “We are now working on putting new lettering above our new signs, across the overhang of our building,” said Amiot. “They will state – Polk County Historical Society – to again be more visible to traffic for people traveling as they go through our city and county here. We are planning a major improvement to the exterior building. We plan to paint the exterior of the building which hasn’t been done in over 30 years. The trim boards will be white with the upper areas painted a contrasting color.”
The PCHS is also working on raising funds to create a new site plan for the museum and grounds, which would include moving the log cabin that is sinking. “That will be a big project,” said Amiot. “It’s been in the works for two or three years. We want to update our site plan to move the log house that is currently sinking in a rear corner. That would be moving to a nearby location so that the building would be stabilized and correct that sinking because the current location is not currently on a permanent foundation. That will cost us $20-25,000.”
The PCHS also has a couple of events coming up still in July including Square Dancing demonstrations Sunday, June 14 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Carnegie Building. And a portrayal of Sarah Sibley by Connie Hanneson along with an ice cream social Sunday, July 21 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
