Fort Recovery State Museum Newsletter
March 2010
Well, while ground hogs have hibernated and butterflies have migrated, the museum trustees have continued a very busy schedule over the months since we 0last communicated with you! First of all, progress has gotten underway with the National Battlefield Grant. Additionally we have already engaged a series of speakers for the entire museum season. Trustees have also continued to maintain its properties - not an easy task as our buildings and infrastructure continue to age – much like the museum manager herself! J
National Battlefield Grant – April 7, 10 Artifact Information Gathering
BSU archaeologist and museum trustee, Chris (Thobe) Keller, and the large student and faculty team at Ball State have spent the winter and early spring researching, preparing for field work, and procuring funding for a possible documentary as part of the National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program Grant. Geophysical (above ground) surveys and limited field excavation will start taking place very soon and extend through June and July. We will have much more information available in future newsletters and at - fortrecoverymuseum.com.
Enclosed with this letter are artifact and land survey information and questions from Ball State. They need your help. Have you ever found an artifact from the battle (musket parts or balls? Buttons? Knife parts? etc.)? Or do you know someone who has? April 7 and April 10 have been set as days when anyone who has information or artifacts is urged to come to the museum and meet with BSU personnel. YOUR information will be important as determinations are made as exactly where to do the archaeological investigations.
Summer Speaker Series – Free to Patrons – Details will come in monthly newsletters.
These Scholars/Authors and their presentations (already confirmed! J) are:
· May 1 Alan D. Gaff Bayonets in the Wilderness
· June 5 David Simmons The Forts of Anthony Wayne
· July 17 David Heckaman The Battle of Fort Recovery and its Aftermath
· August 7 Keith Layman The History and Significance of Fort Wayne in Conquering
America’s First Frontier
· Sept. 11 George Ironstrack The Tumultuous Period of the 1780’s Through the Treaty of
Greenville - a Myaamia Perspective (Ironstrack is a member of the Miami Indian Tribe of Oklahoma!)
The Museum Buildings and Infrastructures
First the good news – Despite the news-making March flood, and the fact the Wabash expanded up the banks of our fort, the museum bore little evidence of it – just a bare trickle through a known crack in the basement. Thanks to Ken and Janice Lamm for doing the labor to prevent the water problems of the past.
HOWEVER, we have had more than our share of furnace problems, and that is a real problem since exhibits and artifacts cannot tolerate great temperature fluctuations. We’re thankful that Rohrer’s Plumbing has been there each time to get the furnace going again, but we know it is on its last leg. We have gotten bids and are now waiting for OHS to help us make that move.
Finally (well we can only hope) we need to have the sewage system that connects from the museum to the town’s system redone/fixed/cleaned out. We need to have it taken care of before we have an emergency sewage situation some Sunday when we are having a guest speaker or the 5K run! So you see, it’s like home – Always something! J And that something always seems to tax our income and savings!
Patron Form
In order to conserve paper/printing, our patron form this year is on the back of this newsletter. Needless to say we do need your support, and we appreciate it. The whole community should stand up and say “Thank YOU” to you who keep this important museum on its feet.
I promise that future newsletters will be more about history and less about sewage, floods and furnaces. J Truly it looks to be a great Museum Season 2011. Come, be part of it! NK, Museum Manager/Director
We are very appreciative of the patron and community support of the Fort Recovery Historical Museum over the past years. Your support has been absolutely vital to its continuation and success. Words cannot easily express the appreciation we have for past sacrifices and generous contributions. Even though the economic times are challenging, we are hoping and praying that that support will be forthcoming once again. As everyone is aware, state support for public entities is decreasing and in many cases, being discontinued. So it falls to local communities and the people who support their endeavors to keep them going!
Following are the patron categories (and number of patrons we had in 2010.) If you are willing to help us, please check your level of support, but know that any amount is welcome and needed![especially this year when it looks like we are going to need a new furnace and a repaired/renovated sewer system – not fun stuff but vital!]
______Tecumseh $1000 _1_ ______ St. Clair $50 _38_
______ Little Turtle $500 _2_ ______ Anthony Wayne $25 _61_
______ Blue Jacket $250 _6_ ______ Richard Butler $10 _9_
______ Presidential $100 _30_ Total = 147 Patrons in 2010
In return for your donation, you receive:
1) Satisfaction - knowing you contributed in an important way to the upkeep and
continuation of Fort Recovery’s unique historical sites,
2) Free admission to the museum,
3) Free or reduced rates for special events,
4) 10% discount on any gift/book shop purchases, and
5) Informative monthly (April to November) newsletters
In addition to your financial contribution, your donation of time or services is also greatly appreciated. Please indicate if you can help with any of the following:
___ Serve on the advisory board or board of trustees
___ Volunteer to take in admissions and/or sell souvenirs on Special Speaker Sundays (see newsletter)
___ Help with school/scout/adult tours. (selling souvenirs/take admissions)
___ Work on a Special Events
___ Civil War Reenactment Events
____ October Archaeology Family Fun Festival (even bigger and better this year)
___ The Annual Historical Society Auction (lots of fun)
___ The 5-K run (exciting – lots of out-of-town visitors/runners)
___ Plan ahead of time, lay out route, buy prizes etc.
___ Help that morning – hand out water/prizes, man checkpoints
Name Mr., Mrs., Ms., Mr. & Mrs. _____________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________ Phone ______________________________
______________________________________ __ Email_______________________________
Please make checks payable to the Fort Recovery Historical Society. Include this form with your check and mail in the FR Museum envelope included. (Treasurer: Nancy Abels, 1708 Watkins Road, Fort Recovery, 45846 Thanks so much!)