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In October 2001 the Society received word
that it was named as the beneficiary in the will of Dr. Eugene
Ingmand, a lifelong resident of Montgomery County. This gift of
$500,000 was designated to the Society to add to its museum and
historical resources. Following this
announcement, a gift of $1 million toward a new facility was pledged
to the Society by Norma and Charles Wilson of Red Oak, with the
stipulation that additional funds for an endowment and furnishings
and equipment for the building must be raised by the Society.
With these two gifts, the Society has developed plans for a new
12,000 - 14,000 sq. ft. building to be the premier facility at The
History Center. The good fortune of the Society to receive the
Ingmand bequest and to be offered as a gift a state-of-the-art
facility will elevate the level of museum services in the community
to a new and higher level of professionalism that has not been
possible in the past.
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Building our History!
Campaign |
The Society has accepted the Wilson
Challenge by embarking on a fundraising campaign, "Building Our
History!" to raise $650,000 which will establish the required
endowment and provide furnishings and equipment needed for the new
building. The endowment fund will generate essential annual
income to ensure the financial stability of the new facility and
it's expanded program. The Society will employ a professional
staff person and have adequate funding for maintenance of all
buildings on site. Friends and supports are invited
to join together to ensure that the Montgomery County Historical
Society will continue to fulfill its mission, keeping the treasures
and telling the stories for generations to come. In
addition to gifts of cash, the Building Our History! campaign will
also accept gifts of other assets such as securities, retirement
funds, real estate and other property.
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All Building Our
History! campaign contributions are tax deductible as provided
for by law. |
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Future Opportunities
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The History
Center's expanded, new facility and professional staff
will provide a multitude of opportunities for the
community and the Society, including:
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Additional open hours, providing better service to the
local community.
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New
exciting exhibits and displays that will make our
local history more interesting and relevant to all
viewers - young and old alike.
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A
facility that can host traveling exhibits from major
museums.
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Greater
security and improved preservation of artifacts and
record storage. (Climate control and dedicated spaces
in the new facility will be a major improvement).
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Expanded
library with more local history resources and
genealogy materials for adult and student researchers.
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Full-time
staff will provide consistent leadership so that
volunteers can be more effective.
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Better
meeting areas and work spaces so that musuem visitors,
researchers and staff will be able to be active in the
facility at the same time without interfering with
each other.
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Reliable
and safe storage to attract more important local
artifacts, improving the museum's exhibits and
collection.
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A place
for the people of the county to keep their personal
histories, and gift important artifacts and records
for the benefit of future generations.
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A tourist
attraction as one of the best, local museums in the
Midwest.
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A source
of community pride and self esteem.
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Educational opportunities that improve the
understanding of our community life and our shared
historic culture - a common bond that unites.
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Opportunities for all schoolchildren to have
programming that will enrich their understanding of
their history. Exhibits and programming will tell of
innovation and creativity originating in this
community through exhibits featuring the inventions,
entreprenurs, scholars, and artists from Montgomery
Count.
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For more information contact:
Building Our History!
The Montgomery County Historical Society
P. O. Box 634
Red Oak, Iowa 51566
(712) 623-2289 |