04-10-1996 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Nystuen replied that the HS has to be a museum. If artifacts are collected and nothing is done with them it doesn't do the community any good. Nystuen stated that the artifacts should be accessible. People will not ask to see the HS collection if they do not know what you have. Nystuen indicated it was easy to set up exhibits, and using Velcro, photos can be easily exchanged, making an exhibit interesting. Nystuen stated that Council's are usually concerned with how many people are coming in to view exhibits. Therefore, it is easier to get funding for exhibits and care of artifacts if there are people interested. Nystuen suggested the HS might do an exhibit on a family history to show a sample of the information it has collected on Little Canada families. This might spark interest so people come in and look at the genealogy books the HS has. Tschida pointed out the first Little Canada settlers came from St. Paul or Fort Snelling or other locations before finally settling here. Many of these first settlers are buried in Little Canada. Tschida also reported that many of the first French Canadian settlers intermarried with Native Americans. Tschida stated that these settlers came to Little Canada so they could have the freedom to retain their language and religion. Nystuen stated that this is the kind of story which can be told in an exhibit, and will get people interested so they do research in the HS collection. Don Donovan pointed out a high percentage of the population lives in apartments. This population is transient and not interested in Little Canada history. Nystuen stated that just because a segment of the population is transient does not mean they cannot be made to become interested. Many of these residents may want to know what Little Canada is about today. Nystuen also pointed out that the 1950's or 1960's is just as ancient history to some of these people as the 1930's. Nystuen pointed out most museums stop at World War II. Nystuen suggested the HS tell the story after that. For example, how many bomb shelters were in Little Canada? Nystuen suggested the HS get a column in the City newsletter and tell interesting facts about Little Canada. Jean Donovan reported that she did write a column for the local newspaper, but it recently stopped serving Little Canada. Nystuen stated most information in newspapers or newsletters is about when historical societies' annual meetings are being held. Nystuen stated that the HS has to advertise. Give people the details of what the HS is doing, what they have accomplished, and what people can learn. Ask questions such as "Do you know where the first Little Canada store was located ?" or "Do you know why there are so many Civil War veterans buried in Minnesota ? ". (The answer to this one is that 3 Page 6