The Garnavillo Historical Museum is now sporting a new visitor hours sign on the front of the building. The previous wood sign, painted by Melissa Oleson of Garnavillo, was replaced in May with a vinyl sign created by AUTOTEK Graphic Design of Guttenberg. A new security light was also added above the museum’s front door.
In June, Wells Bros & Son painted the steel roof of the museum a bright red. Monies from donors during the annual Great Give Day, annual mail campaign, and proceeds from the can/bottle redemption make all these projects possible.
Not only were changes made on the exterior of the building but changes happened on the inside too. With the final completion of the new front door last year, the entry exhibits were re-assembled. These exhibits showcase Garnavillo souvenirs of the past as well as past businesses promotional items. New exhibits were created in the museum for the towns of National and Clayton Iowa, and the Clayton County Fairs. The World War II exhibit was moved from the Lodge Hall to the main museum, and the Schoenfeldt Lincoln collection was moved to the Lodge Hall. And finally a large collection of donated items found their way into already existing exhibits. So there are many new items to look for in the museum.
The Garnavillo Historical Society opened the museum to visitors June 1 and is open every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 1-4PM throughk September 29. If those days or times do not work for you, an appointment can be made by calling 563-880-5078 to visit the museum as well as the Lodge Hall and Log Cabin, or to conduct research. The Historical Society is grateful to the many member and non-member volunteers who serve as greeters on the weekends.