School has started and summer is winding down, but the Garnavillo Museum will still be open weekends, from 1:00-4:00 PM, through September, and year round by appointment. Also open by appointment are the Lodge Hall and Log Cabin but not during the winter months.
Members have been busy throughout the summer season with updates to the buildings and adding new exhibits. Some of the exhibits recently added at the museum include a wooden tub washing machine, a wall mount crank telephone, and a sign from the former Garnavillo Farmers State Bank building.
Installation of the new bright red front door at the museum has been completed thanks to a grant from Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation, and work by Top Gun Customs and House to Home Remodeling. Log repair and interior chinking work were also completed at the Log Cabin by society members.
2024 Calendars, featuring photos from the past, are available for a $10.00 donation at the Community Savings Bank, Corner Shoppe, and Garnavillo Library as well as at the museum. There are still calendars for 2023 and other previous years available for $5.00 at the museum. The calendars are great for learning about the history of Garnavillo and the surrounding area, and for supplementing and continuing the history documented in the book, Garnavillo Gem of the Prairie.
Donations through the summer have been received from Ron & Georgi Kaiser, Ken Johnson, Dennis & June Wolter, Ron & Jane Thein, Jon McElderry & LuAnn Kahle, Lanny & Linda Kuehl, Bill & Lisa Robinson, LeRoy & Colleen Darby Family Endowed Donor-Advised Fund, NYL-PAC, Clayton County, Melanie Frick, and Berns Texaco Men’s Softball Team. Memorials have been received for Naomi Klinge from Ed & Dianne Uriell and Ron & Jane Thein; for Dennis Reimer from Doug & Kathy Reimer; and for Dick Owings from Wayne & Kathy Helle and Carol DeSotel.
Meetings of the Garnavillo Historical Society are held the second Thursday of the month, starting at 5:00 PM. The next meeting will be September 14 2023 in the Garnavillo Museum basement. Interested persons and new members are always welcome! For more information check out the Garnavillo Historical Society website or facebook pages.