DHA XLV
(1/29/2004)

A DHA delegations of Melanie Parsons, Toots Peterson, Lester Lauritzen, and Palmer Peterson journeyed to Freeman Wednesday afternoon, January 21st for an educational tour of the Heritage Hall Archives and Museum. Their archivists LaNae Waltner and Duane Shrag, Museum curator Clea Graber, and President Ray Beckler, gave them a tour of the facilities, answered questions, and offered valuable information on the how-to of such a facility.

In the archives, they were shown the card file operation, including use of the standard Dewey-Decimal method of cataloging books and other materials of historic importance. They were given a catalog featuring archival quality museum supplies. They were shown how materials were shelved, and photos mounted on the walls, including graduates of the Junior College, now Freeman Academy, with which the facility is associated.

In the museum section, they were given copies of artifact accession records, and viewed the display methods used in their extensive collection of historical artifacts. Here, too, may valuable ideas were observed and given by the officials. The original building of the facility was 100 x 150 ft., if memory serves correctly, and the recent addition is perhaps 100 x 100 ft. However, some materials had been collected at the College before the first museum building was erected.

The delegation was much impressed with the facility, and feel much usable information was obtained. It was the main topic discussed on the ride back to Viborg, where they arrived after 6 p.m.  Minga tak, Heritage Hall folks.

Fred Knudsen has told DHA that he believes that the museum building was moved to Viborg from Center Point to become the Gross Hatchery, later the Lockwood Veterinary Clinic.

This would seem a possible alternative to materials shortages if the Hatchery made this expansion during the 1940's, as it seems likely.

Can anyone provide additional details? When? Who moved it? (Louie Sanders is a possibility.) What was it used for where it came from? Any recollections of its cost, when built, or price when purchased, and cost of moving?

This type of information is of interest and value, not only for this museum building, but for other buildings in Viborg and the Greater Daneville Area.

Since last week's report, DHA thanks and acknowledges the following for their contributions:

(VM - Voting Member)

Minga Tak.

Keep 'em coming. DHA's first year had relatively little expenses (and income), but with the repairs, refurbishing, insurance, and coming operating expenses, there is a continuing need for expanded and continued funding.

That "Yesteryear" column in the Centerville Journal continues to report items of universal historical interest, even though it applies to the Centerville area, not to Daneville. Last week (Jan. 22) it reported the sale of land two miles south of Centerville's quarter section, "the consideration was $8,200." This was a common newspaper practice and parlance in that era, and continuing well into this writer's memory. They usually ran under the designation, "Locals," small, important bits of news that did not merit a headlined story. Unfortunately, for many years, none such has appeared in many local papers. The Viborg Enterprise readership is fortunate that Ruth Peterson's "Bits 'N Pieces" features that historically important information.

That land sale item reminds me of a question that has been nagging for some months. Early last year, what we know historically as "Pearson's Corner" was advertised for sale. Since then there has been no news therefrom. Would any of the people involved be willing to update our history of Pearson Corner, with some information, including historic use of the property, buildings, property designation, sellers/buyers, and that once common "and the consideration was"? The Daneville historical record would surely benefit.