2 0 1 6 Annual Report

Current StaffJoanie AlbersRichard BarchengerEric CheeverJohn DeckerHeidi HellerGena HiemenzElsie JohnsonAnn MelineJulianne O’ConnellNick O’HaraSteve PenickRod RungeJessica Storlien

Garden campers learned the finer points of growing food just as families have done for 167 years in Stearns County.

Mission: The Stearns History Museum connects people to the power of history and culture by collecting, preserving, and interpreting our historical and cultural resources.

Vision: The Stearns History Museum will be a place where citizens of Central Minnesota can honor their diverse history and recognize that the past is what built the present and is a road map to the future.

Board Of Directors

2017 Board of DirectorsJon McGee, chairmanTom Mathews, vice chairPat Webber, secretaryPhilip Terry, treasurer Annette Atkins John Bodette Barbara CarlsonDorraine Larison Elizabeth Reisinger George Rindelaub Bruce Skalbeck Dan Tideman

Ex-OfficioJeff Mergen, District 3, Stearns County Commissioner Ann Meline

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Like so much of Western language, the word “history” comes from the Greek term “historia” meaning learning or knowing by inquiry, or finding out. At its root, history is about discovery and story, and the teller of the story is at least as important as the event, episode, or object. History reflects who told the story and the choices they made in telling it.

The Stearns History Museum is a wonderful place to discover a story: stories of people, families, communities, and events. We at the Museum are the keepers and tellers of stories of inspiration, reflection, and sometimes despair. Our Museum tells thousands of stories of our community and our lives. And for that reason, it is important not just as a repository of what was, but a as place of understanding of what could be.

The Stearns History Museum displays many wonderful artifacts in its permanent collection, ranging from the locally famous (like the Pan car), to the personal (like the clothes included in the recent 1970s exhibit), to the fascinating and unusual (like the two-headed pig). Through its exhibits, programs, and Research Center, the Museum tells how we settled here, how we lived, and how we and our communities have changed over the last hundred-plus years.

As our communities change, so too does the Museum. New residents to the county bring new stories and create new history. We welcome all who call Stearns County home to preserve their stories at the Museum. It is essential that we record those accounts and share them with future generations. They symbolize the rich fabric of this place we call home. Our collective narrative and experiences help us to understand who we have been, who we are, and who we are becoming.

The Stearns History Museum is a remarkable resource. Its collection, programming, and a Research Center are unique among country museums in Minnesota. Our Museum is among the premier county museums not just in the state, but in the country, and one of the very few accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. We will continue to change and grow. Our place in the community and state is in large measure due to the generous financial contributions of friends of the Museum and the extraordinary support provided by Stearns County. We deeply appreciate all you have done and continue to do for the Museum. Looking forward, we hope you will continue to invest in the Museum’s future to ensure it remains a cultural centerpiece, preserving and telling our ever-changing stories!

Finally, I want to offer a special thank you to Jim Davis, who retired as our director in July. Over many years, Jim and his wife, Jan, served as patrons, friends, and leaders of the Museum. The Museum and the community have benefited from their generous contribution of time, talent, and treasure. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

See you at the Museum!

Jon McGeeChair, Board of Directors

Friends of The Stearns History Museum

Minnesota Public Television’s Kathy Wurzer, speaker at the 2016 Annual History Maker Gala; Zapp

Historian Award recipient Keith Maurer, and SHM board member Dr. Annette Atkins.

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Exhibits & Collections

2016 AudienceAudience Served 96,103(Social media, off-site programs, research requests)

On-site Visitors 17,799School Tours (# of Students) 1,491Volunteer Hours 1,855

Objects on loan from the St. Stephen community for the exhibit, “Farmers, Miners & Refugees:

Slovenian Immigration to Minnesota since 1855.”

The Bernick’s Companies celebrated 100 years of operating a family-owned business with an exhibit that showcased the company and family history. Spearheaded by family and business archivist Ruth Larson and Jason Bernick, director of corporate affairs, the exhibit reminded visitors that many of today’s businesses have been around for generations. (See photo on back cover.)

Healthyville, a traveling exhibit from Stepping Stones Museum for Children, invited young people to “ride and row with a skeleton, discover Go, Slo, and Whoa foods, touch boogers inside a giant nose, and exercise your heart. This hands-on children’s exhibit reminded adults and children the importance of healthy living. It also gave staff and volunteers the opportunity to talk about the importance Stearns County farms play in healthy eating for families in Minnesota and the U.S.

The year closed with the exhibit “Farmers, Miners and Refugees: Slovenian Immigration from Minnesota Since 1855.” This exhibit was generated by a group of dedicated residents of Slovenian ancestry to celebrate their heritage. They produced a series of panels telling the story of the Slovenian community in Stearns County. A plethora of precious family heirlooms were loaned to the Museum for the exhibit. The Slovenian Consulate General also attended the opening festivities.

Social media expanded the Museum’s reach through weekly stories. A Facebook post on the Last Man’s Club resulted in this response, “Stellar bit of local history . . . thanks for sharing!”

Healthyville, a traveling exhibit from the Stepping Stone Museum for Children, entertained, inspired, and taught families the lessons of healthy living thorough diet and

exercise. Major Sponsor: CentraCare Health.

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Children’s programs were a plenty in 2016. The garden camp, in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, taught participants the concept of subsistence farming. Campers grew food that could provide meals for themselves and their families. Along the way, they learned about healthy eating. Schools toured the museum to gain a better understanding of Central Minnesota history. And, families explored the exhibits at Halloween Historia and Kringlefest.

Adult programs included the ever-popular Breakfast Club and the annual bus tour. This year the bus tour headed down Interstate 94 to look at memorable yet less notorious sites. Memory Writers continue to meet twice a month to share their writing skills and stories. A group of St. Cloud quilters worked with curator Adam Smith on a quilt conservation project. The annual gala’s featured speaker was MPR personality Kathy Wurzer. At the event, Ed Zapp presented the Zapp Historian Award to retired County Commissioner Keith Maurer and posthumously to Commission Robert Gambrino, who were instrumental in initiating county support for the Museum.

Bug Identification Day for Garden Campers.

SHM presented the documentary film “Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass” at the historic Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud to

two sellout crowds.

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Programs

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Research Center and ArchivesThroughout 2016, the Research Center served the needs of its varied clientele from patrons looking into their family’s past to investigative reporters researching for news agencies. This was an exciting time as we served the public while building meaningful partnerships and friends.

Genealogists continue to be the core group of library users. Many expressed their appreciation for what they uncovered. Stacey Greeley commented, “Thank you again, SO MUCH, for all the help you gave me last week! It was an extremely productive research time ...” Jayne Givson Valnes shared, “Thank you much for all that you are doing, history is important in so many ways.” These remarks certainly reflect the vision of those that established the Research Center in 1984.

The Research Center’s service area goes well beyond its physical location. The Travel Channel studied Sauk Centre’s haunted Palmer House. WCCO and American Public Media explored law enforcement’s handling of the Jacob Wetterling kidnapping. American Public Media’s podcast on the subject, “In the Dark,” won the Peabody Award for producer Samara Freemark.”

University students explore the primary resources available in the Research Center.

Crowd gathers for the showing of “Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass”. This film, as well as Elaine Davis’ book “Minnesota 13:

Stearns County’s Wet and Wild Prohibition Days,” was researched at the Museum’s Research Center. Thousands of stories are scattered among the rows

of file cabinets just waiting to be told.

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For the Year ending December 31, 2016CURRENT ASSETSCash and cash equivalentsRestricted cashInventoryOther assets Total current assets

NONCURRENT ASSETSInventmentsNet property an equipment Total noncurrent assets

TOTAL ASSETS

REVENUE AND SUPPORT County Appropriations Grant revenues Program income Donations Net investment income (loss) Donated services, materials, and equipmentMembershipsAdmissionsMuseum store salesSpecial eventsMiscellaneous revenuesTotal

EXPENSESEducational servicesMuseum exhibitions and collectionsArchival and research servicesMuseum operationsTotal program servicesManagement and generalFundraising Total support services

TOTAL EXPENSES

CHANGE IN UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETSCHANGE IN TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED NET ASSETSCHANGE IN TOTAL NET ASSETSNET ASSETS -Beginning of yearNET ASSETS - End of year

$690,000

55,09625,28983,61724,861

255,30554,76326,77212,70696,72317,583

1,342,715

187,795325,994328,604196,033

1,038,426109,796

92,343202,139

1,240,565

116,193

(14,043)102,150

1,047,2011,149,351

$146,43041,966

-6,910

195,306

336,411948,198

1,284,609

1,479,915

CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable and accrued expenses Deferred revenue Total current liabilities

NET ASSETS Unrestricted - undesignated Unrestricted - designated Temporarily restricted Total net assetsTOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

$308,36422,200

330,564

(135,258)1,284,609

1,149,3511,479,915

Financial Summary

In the summer of 2017, the certified public accounting firm of Miller, Welle, Heiser & Co., LTD conducted an audit of the Stearns History Museum’s 2016 financial records. The Museum received an unqualified opinion, which states that the statements are presented in a fair and unbiased manner. The complete 2016 audit report is available upon request at the Stearns History Museum. The 990 tax statement is available at stearns-museum.org.

Income

Expenses

Donors

Richard & Karen Ahles

Tom & Sally Allen

Johannes Allert

Alexander Ames

Joan Anastasi

Sandy Anderson

Anderson Trucking Service

Anton’s of St. Cloud

Florine Armstrong

Annette Atkins & Tom Joyce

Angelina Ausban & Kevin Smith

Automotive Parts Headquarters

Rolland & Margaret Aydt

Joe Bayer

Bayer Built Woodworks

Joseph & Joanne Bechtold

Paul Bell

Robert & Karen Bellmont

Benton Telecommunications Foundation

Herbert & Lynne Benz

Ken & Marilyn Bergmann

Bernick’s Companies

Dick & Lila Bernick

Kathleen Bernick

Roy Bernick

Jason Bernick

Jan Beste

Dick & Mimi Bitzan Family Fund

Gene & Mary Margaret Bjorklun

Barbara Bloomer

James & Suzanne Brick

Harold & Marilyn Brinkman

Elizabeth Brunsvold

Ruth Ann Bueckers

Claude Buettner & Carol Kissner

Ralph & Lori Buettner

Barbara & Jerry Carlson

Tom & Shelly Carlson

Don & Arlene Casey

CentraCare Health

Jane Ceynar

Alton Chermak

Tim Chirhart & Jeanne Soleim

Julie Coborn

Commercial Contractors

D.J. Bitzan Jewelers Inc.

Robert Danaher

Patrick Daniel

Jim & Jan Davis

John & Jan Decker

Heritage Park is the perfect setting for the Museum’s family activities.

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Donors

Dr. Richard & Geraldine Dendinger

Neil Franz & Jean Didier

Janet Dolan

Jim & Berni Doll

Judy Dorn

Richard Dorn

Dorothy C. Becker Foundation

Virg Egerman

Mary Eilers

Barry Elert & Linda Sand

Ken & Clare Elchert

Art Faber

Falcon National Bank

Robert Faust

Bernard Ferche

Rosanne Fischer & Mark Trainor

Charles & Elizabeth Hayden Flinn

Mary Thiele Fobian

Prentiss & Joyce Foster

Irene Frank

Friesz Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Catherine Gadbois

Angelo Gambrino

Ann Gambrino

John Gambrino

Ruth Gambrino

Thomas & Janet Gambrino

Thomas L. Gambrino

Gartner Refrigeration

Gary Gillitzer

Betsy Glade

GLT Architects

GNP Company

Charles Goebel

Dennis & Barbara Gregory Family Fund

Judith Grooters

Joan Groth

Janet Grothjan

Joyce Hansen

Ronald & Michelle Hanson

Lyle G. Heaton

Dorothy Hebert

Don Helgeson & Sue Shepard

Michael & Karel Helgeson

Peter Hendricks

Patrick Henry

Wendy Hess

Amy Hill

Lori Hoff

Ken & Linda Holmen

Patricia and George Hontos

Kevin & Joanne Hughes

Beulah Rose Hutchens

Wim Ibes

Lorraine Inderrieden

Family programs entertain as well as educate. These events introduce history

through exploration and fun.

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Richard Iten

Dwight & Audrey Jaeger

Janet F Jansen

Mavis Jante

Greg Jendro

Eugene & Ardis Jensen

Bob & Judy Johnson

Clifford & Betty Johnson

Ken & Diane Jones

Julie Joplin

Maureen Jovanovich

Daniel Hollenhorst & Juliana Elchert

Brian Jungles

Roger & Mary Justin

Patricia K’Burg

Dolores Kantor

Mark & Joni Karl

Pauline Keinath

LuBell Kendall

Don & Mary Anne Kieser

Roger A. & Darlene C. Klein Fund

Donald & Janet Klug

Knevel Family Fund

Jim & Janet Knoblach

Beulah Mae Koch

Henry & Victoria Kohorst

Dennis Konz

Jim & Linda Kotschevar

Michael & Julie Kulzer

Laraway Financial Advisors

James & Ruth Larson

Marjorie LaTour

Jean Leighton

John & Arlene Leisen

Jerry & Mary Lou Lenz

Stan Lewis

John & Mary Linnemann

Geraldine Lommel

Jerome & Carol Loomis

Mary Ludowese

Whitney & Betty MacMillan

John Mahowald & Donna Kuhl

John & MaryAnne Mahowald

Mahowald Insurance Agency

John G Marek

Gary & Jane Marsden

Mathew Hall Lumber Fund

Tom & Mary Mathews

Dr. David & Kathrine Matthew

Bill Maurer

Keith Maurer

Keith Maurer Jr.

Mike Maurer

Mary Maurer Eilers

Jerry & Maureen McCarter

Peter McDowall

McDowall Company

Carol McEvoy

Jon & Ann McGee Charitable Fund

McGough Construction Co. Inc.

Dave and Lu Meemken

Cathy & David Mehelich

Michael Meirick

Ann Meline

The Century Farm Program celebrated its 40th year with more than 450 designated

Century Farms in Stearns County.

Donors

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Melrose Lions Club

Jeff & Nellie Mergen

Eugene & Norma Meyer

Franklin Meyer

Miller Auto & Marine

Miller, Welle, Heiser & Co., Ltd.

Minser Chiropractic Clinic

Patrick & Jane Mitchell

Edward Moeller

Raymond Monsour

Monumental Sales Inc.

Michael Moran

Bill & Judy Morgan

Katherine Mrozek

Paula Muggli

Mumm & Kron Family Dentistry

Liz Murphy

Mary Ann Neidermeier

David Neumann

Steve & Jan Notch

Robert & Marilyn Obermiller

Virginia Orth

Glen Palm & Jane Ellison

Greg & Joyce Pappenfus

Daniel Pearson

John & Linda Peck

Jim & Beverly Pehler

Steven & Carmen Penick

Jon & Laurie Perry

Kal Perry

Bela Petheo

Lee & Kristine Pflepsen

Lloyd Poepping

Joyce Pohl

Prairie Potato Company

Marguerite Pramann

Beverly Proulx

Proviant Group

Regional Diagnostic Radiology

Greg & Janet Reigstad

Mary Ann Reischl

Richard & Jane Remiarz

Karen Rieck

George & Mary Ann Rindelaub

Frank & Rosemary Roehl

Jacqueline Rogan

Michael & Peggy Roske

Autumn Ross

Terry Rothstein

Larry & Verdell Rudolph

Richard & Diane Ruegemer

Connie Ruhr

Marilyn Rybinski

Emma Sacco

Gerald & Donna Sales

Vernon Salzl

Ralph & Carole Sauer

Guy & Terry Schafer

Bryon & Lynn Schiffler

Don & Patti Schiffler

Jim & Carrie Schiffler

Loren & Bonnie Schill

Bernie Schloemer

Alice Schneider

Ralph & Barb Searles

Don Sieger

Sinclair Lewis Foundation

Sisters of Saint Benedict

Halloween Historia attendees choose a prize for completing the Halloween Hunt through the exhibit gallery.

Donors

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Lois Sjobeck

Bruce & Cheryl Skalbeck

Sharon Smith

Soleim Chirhart Fund

SPOT Rehabilitation

St. Benedict’s Monastery Library

St. Cloud Antique Auto Club

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce — Convention & Visitor Bureau

St. Cloud Jaycees

St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club

St. Cloud Sprinkler Co.

St. Joseph Y2K Lions Club

Chris & Deb Stalboerger

Eric & Joan Stalboerger

Richard & Margaret Stang

Paul W. & Elizabeth Steil

Tom & Joyce Stein

Steven Stock

Dennis & Bobbie Stolp

Dr. Thomas & Ann Stone

Strack Companies

Ellie Studer

Fred Stueve

Philip & Harriet Terry

Robert Testa

Pete & Julie Theismann

Think Tourism

Robert & Bonnie Thomsen

Mary Alice Tomporowski

TownSquare Media

William Trout

Diane Tuorila

U.S. Bank Foundation

Teresa Vandereyk

Vernon Vos

Lorraine Wagner

Waite Park Lions Club

Julie Ward

Doris Weiman

Susan Weitz

John & Mary Weitzel

Fred Wemlinger

Marjorie Wenker

John Wertz

Ray & Jean Weyer

Hugo & Rita Weyrens

Mary Weyrens Tasto

Bob & Penny White Fund

David Whitney

Whitney Foundation

Scott & Joan Wilcox

Sandra Q. Williams

Mary Wingerd

Patricia & Robert Witte Family Fund

Women’s Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation

Xcel Energy Foundation Matching Program

Marilyn Young

Edward Zapp

Maria Zimmerman

Harold Zosel

On the cover: Stearns County vacation promotion, 1943.

Donors

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The anniversary of St. Martin was one of many celebrations in which the Museum provided a photo exhibit. Other events included the Stearns County Fair, Pantowners Swap Meet,

Fisher’s Supper Club, Breakfast on the Farm, and the premiere of the film “Minnesota 13: From

Grain to Glass.”

Bannock Farm

Dick & Mimi Bitzan

Christine’s Sweet Confections

Coborn’s Inc.

Jim & Jan Davis

John & Jan Decker

Forest Mushrooms

Charles Goebel

Heavenly Treats

Lunds & Bylerys

McDowall Company

Edward Moeller

David Morreim

NuCara Pharmacy

Julianne O’Connell

Pioneer Place & DB Searles

Poppy Salon

Preferred Credit Inc.

Retro Green Energy

Saint John’s University

Shingobee Builders

Bruce & Cheryl Skalbeck

Philip & Harriet Terry

Think Tourism

University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners

Cathy Wurzer

Thank you to all of our generous members and donors. We sincerely appreciate your support and apologize if we have missed any names on this report.

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In-Kind

Supporting Members

Volunteers Rianna Runge and Sophie Mertensotto at Halloween Historia.

Visionary:Bayer Built Woodworks

Benefactor:DCI Inc.

Patron:Barclay & Janet Carriar

Jim & Jan Davis

James & Patricia Jungels

Landwehr Construction

St. Cloud Antique Auto Club

Philip & Harriet Terry

Advocate:Dick & Mimi Bitzan

Ann Didier

GNP Company

Michael & Karel Helgeson

Joan Hicks

McDowall Company

Doris Weiman

Sustainer:Jason Bernick

Joseph DesJardins & Linda Eich DesJardins

Bill & Marian Durrwachter

Ken & Kenna Frie

Charles Goebel

LuBell Kendall

Gretchen Leisen

Richard & Patricia Lewis

Jerry & Maureen McCarter

Robert & Marilyn Obermiller

Frank & Rosemary Roehl

James & Joan Schlenner

Maureen Spanier

Dr. Thomas & Ann Stone

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Supporting Members

Members enjoy lunch on their “Off 94” bus tour that featured

the lesser know historic sites off of Interstate 94.

Supporter:Gary & Kay Bechtold

Jeff & Lannie Bulka

Barbara & Jerry Carlson

Cathedral High School

St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce-Convention & Visitor Bureau

Alton Chermak

John & Jan Decker

Jim & Kathy Egan

Richard & Rose Gaetz

Kenneth & Donna Gorrell

Great River Federal Credit Union

Tom & Jeanne Hartmann

Doris Hennen

Patricia Hill

Arnold & Regina Hoeschen

Beulah Rose Hutchens

Dwight & Audrey Jaeger

Michael & Julie Kulzer

Suzanne Latko

John & Arlene Leisen

Wesley & Julie Lindquist

John C. Massmann

Kathy & Mark Middendorf

Lillian Phillipp

Ringneck Restaurants Inc.

Brian Schoenborn

Shawn Schooley

Daniel Schroeder

Jane Schulte

St. Cloud Area Genealogists Inc.

St. Cloud Retired Educators of MN

Tenvoorde Ford Inc.

Randy Vee & Kelly Notch

Tony & Joyce Tillemans

George & Shirley Torrey

Gary & Pat Webber

Scott & Joan Wilcox

Thomas & Catherine Williams

Bob & Patricia Witte

Dan & Nicole Wolgamott

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235 South 33rd Avenue St. Cloud, MN 56301-3752

NON PROFITORGANIZATION

US POSTAGEPAID

PERMIT NO. 555ST. CLOUD, MN

2016 Annual Report

2016 exhibit highlighting the 100th Year Anniversary of

Bernick’s Companies.