by Tesha M. Christensen
Want to learn more about local history? Drop by the
historical museum operated by the North Chisago Historical Society or attend
one of the regular meetings.
The North Chisago Historical Society (NCHS) began in 1970
with a group of friends from the Rush City area who had a common interest in
preserving local history. They joined the Chisago County Historical Society,
but also met together as a separate group in the northern part of the county.
This group was instrumental in constructing the Historical Society building at
the Chisago County Fairgrounds that same year.
In 1977, under the leadership of Carl Heinrich, the Rush City
group organized as the North Chapter of the Chisago County Historical Society.
That alliance continued for the next 25 years, as the North Chapter became the
first of six or seven local chapters throughout the county.
In 2002, the North Chapter became an independent 501(c)
organization and incorporated as the North Chisago Historical Society.
Heinrich recalled, “It was done primarily because there was a
vacuum in the history of the area.”
The mission of the group remains focused on that local
history. It is “to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge regarding the
history of North Chisago County and the state of Minnesota.”
The group has nearly doubled in the past two years, and is
now at about 121 members.
“NCHS offers our area’s best networking opportunity for those
who want to preserve local history, either through volunteering or dues or
donations,” said member Charlotte Wilcox.
Director Marlin Gregerson has been a member for 20 yeas. “The
magic of stories and objects that survive drew me to the county fair building
and recently our museum in Rush City,” remarked Gregerson. “Members are
approachable. Newsletters have been sent out for at least 30 years. We have
over 100 members, some who live in other states, and strive to add people of
all ages. Dues are affordable and people will benefit from participating.”
MUSEUM OPEN WEEKLY
Those interested in history are encouraged to drop by the
museum, which opened in 2015 at 350 S. Eliot Ave. in Rush City, across from
city hall. The building was donated to the society by dentist James Guptill.
The museum is open 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 4
p.m. Saturdays, April through December, and a discussion group meeting is held
there each Wednesday from 1-3 p.m.
“The museum provides an excellent opportunity for local
families to preserve their history and share it with others,” remarked Wilcox.
“We have started a library of family histories for future generations. We
accept most small items of historical significance.”
A Scout exhibit will open this spring, and there will be
cubicles for town histories including Harris, North Branch, Sunrise, Rush
Point, Stark, and Dale. Members are working to get new lights for the museum,
which will be of help in reorganizing the exhibits, according to Wilcox.
Each year, the sixth graders from C.E. Jacobson Elementary
School in Rush City take an educational tour of the museum. “We are hoping to
expand this educational outreach to include students from North Branch Area
Middle School,” said Wilcox. The NCHS museum is also on the senior community
service list.
A microfilm reader/printer is located in the research room in
front of the museum. The reader was initially put in the Rush City Library in
2003, but was moved once the society obtained its own museum building. The
microfilms on hand include 35 films of the ECM Post Review newspaper from Jan.
4, 1973 through Dec. 28, 2005, as well as the Rush City Post from 1875 to 1972.
Volunteers are always on hand to assist users with the microfilm.
FASCINATING MONTHLY
PROGRAMS
NCHS hosts a monthly program with historical presentations of
interest to the general public. Guest speakers include local historians,
authors, collectors, craftsmen and other fascinating presenters.
The meetings are held at Rushseba Townhall, 7 p.m., on the
first Tuesday of each month, April through December. In the past, attendees have learned about Alvira Lundeen
Johnson, who, along with her seven children, was found dead in a burned out
house in Chisago County on April 11, 1933. Her husband was a prime suspect in
their deaths, but was never found. Other topics have included Sally Moulton,
who operated Moulton’s roller rink beginning in the late 1940s; Ronnie Hunt’s
antique valentines; and a history of Plastech Corporation.
“Many ideas for speakers and topics come from our members at
meetings and social events,” explained Wilcox. “The directors also make
suggestions and explore various speakers and topics.”
The society has held an Ethnic Dinner potluck featuring
recipes from other countries since 1984. For many years, it recognized the
contributions local women have made during Women’s History Month in March.
Many local historians have contributed to the work of the
North Chisago Historical Society over the years. They include Bev Heinrich, who
currently serves as a librarian; as well as Margaret Johnson, Bob Knutsen, Bob
Nelson, Bill Schneider, Orrin Olson, Ronnie Hunt, and many others.
Current officers are president Larry Hendrick, vice president
Dave Schroeder, treasurer Nancy Schroeder and communications coordinator Ilene
Olson Holmberg, all of Rush City; secretary and librarian Marian Eklund of
Stanchfield; and directors Carl Heinrich, Marlin Gregerson and Deb Dahlberg,
all of Rush City, and Lee Olson of Stanchfield.
Since its inception, the NCCHS has collected and preserved
memorabilia and artifacts, including paintings by Effie Sheldon Bornhoft; made
and installed signs identifying the Government Road (1988); placed
identification signs at one-room schoolhouse sites (1993); and installed the
U.S. Army tank at the Chisago County Fairgrounds as a Veteran’s Memorial
(1998).
More information is available at www.nchsociety.org.
Article printed in the 2018 Rush City Community Guide.
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