Blue Rapids Historical Society and Museum

Goal: $30,000.00

Specific Need

Next Projects

Our next projects will be focusing on the building again including point and tuck of the basement to help limit moisture, and eventually the west side of the building on the outside where we are losing stones from age and weathering.
A new shelf in kitchen is needed for the microwave oven.
Sub-flooring and tile replacement in the kitchen.
Arlington Gardens plan for east of building with shrubs and perennials north of the mural.
Bookcases and file cabinets are needed for the new research area the museum is creating for genealogy and historic study of files and documents.

Technology

Card reader for gift shop

How we have used funds recently:

In February and early March, Central Mechanical Construction Co. of Manhattan. installed a split-system HVAC in the back room, including our donation storage room and our workroom. Now volunteers can work in comfort year-round and archives are stored safely!

A generous individual donation and installation of new LED lighting in our storage area and remodeled the back door in the conference room to help with moisture problems.

A newer stove, refrigerator and microwave were purchased for the kitchen. Rotary is served monthly from this kitchen as a fundraiser plus many events find the kitchen in use as well.

The Blue Rapids Historical Society uses the Match-Day funds to work as a vital part of the community and business district. We appreciate any and all donations and rest assured the money will be put to use by Blue Rapids Museum and Historical Society!

Pie-in-the-sky- An endowment that supports the day to day costs and maintainance, allowing donations to go to exhibits, programs and history related activities.

Mission

The Blue Rapids Historial Society and Museum safeguards the memories of our community through preservation, exhibits, genealogy collections and public programs for the enjoyment of our community and the education and inspiration of our future generations.

Profile

The Blue Rapids Museum, established in 2005, preserves the history of Blue Rapids and surrounding community including numerous ghost towns. It is a gathering place for locals interested in genealogy, research, and local history with a collection of diaries, genealogical and house files, artifacts and notebooks compiled of local history topics.

Special collections reflect points in time for Blue Rapids history: from the roots of the town in 1870 to the geology of the nearby gypsum mines; from the one-room schoolroom to Blue Rapids High School memorabilia; from the historic baseball game played here in 1913 to Valley Heights sports records. The military exhibit is one of the largest in the county dating back to the Civil War. One-of-a-kind permanent exhibits include an Ice Age display, a life-sized diaorama featuring a replica of the Donner-Reed Party covered wagon and a quilt and textiles display with antique sewing machines and numerous signature quilts with their stories. Temporary exhibits change out on a regular basis so visitors will always see new and different exhibits and artifacts.

Many groups use the museum on a regular basis. Every Tuesday the accessions committee members gather to accession and organize new and previous artifacts into the ever-changing system. Monthly groups include quilters, artists, and genealogy enthusists. Special events are often scheduled relating to the current exhibits. Several have included re-enactors, lectures on special topics, and tours with demonstrations of past skills and crafts

The museum is an integral part of the Blue Rapids social and cultural arena. The building is a gathering place for luncheons, meetings, reunions and parties. The Blue Rapids Museum is open 8 hours per week, plus anytime volunteers are present. Appointments are possible outside regular hours.