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To meet those needs, the board of directors launched a $700,000 capital fund drive to build a new 14,000-square-foot building, which would be fitted to the existing main museum building and surround the existing structures at the museum complex in Caledonia.
The new building will include a library and archives room for research and genealogy, climate- controlled storage, exhibit areas, the Palen Photo Studio, interactive activities and events, a historic timeline of Houston County, gift shop and welcome center. There also will be a drive-in basement for storage.
"We have a fantastic collection of artifacts and items here, but we have no place to exhibit them," said Shirley Johnson, the all-volunteer organization's president. Included in the items that would have a home in the new building on a rotating basis is the Gengler Carpenter Shop.
"There are items people aren't seeing at all," said Anita Palmquist, the organization's vice president.
"That's why we want more space," she said.
The main museum building currently serves as a crowded multi-function building, said Paul Wiste, secretary.
"It's a one room log cabin," he said.
The Houston County Historical Society hopes to have about $300,000 raised by the end of 2004, and — if all goes as planned — break ground by the end of 2005 or early 2006, Johnson said.
In addition to accepting donations, the organization held a cemetery walk and ice cream social last summer.
"Many people have been a part of the fund-raising for the building fund," Johnson said.
Donations to the capital fund drive can be mailed to the Houston County Historical Society, 104 History Lane, Caledonia, MN 55921. Donations also will be accepted at the Old Fashioned Christmas Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5.
For more information, contact the organization at (507) 725-3884.
If you go
What: Houston County Historical Society Old Fashioned Christmas
Where: Houston County Historical Society museum complex beside the Houston County Fairgrounds, Caledonia, Minn.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5
Cost: Free
Also in Caledonia: The annual lighted Christmas Parade will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, in downtown Caledonia. The Bluff and Valley Hot Air Balloon Rally will be Saturday, Dec. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Houston County Airport, Caledonia. The balloons will lift-off at 7:30 a.m. both days and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, weather permitting. Sleigh/wagon rides to see Santa in his workshop will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 4 and 11, and noon to 3 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 5 and 12, at Camp Winnebago, (507) 724-2351.
Autumn Grooms can be reached at (608) 782-9710, ext. 357, or agrooms@lacrossetribune.com.
