About the Sesquicentennial
In 2003, the Carver County Commissioners established a Carver County Sesquicentennial Committee to make plans for the county's sesquicentennial. Committee members include Jan Albrecht, Suzie Armstrong, Reed Ashpole, Darin Berger, Melissa Brechon, Leanne Brown, Commissioner Gary Delaney, Mike Fahey, Bud Olson, Senator Julianne Ortman, Dianne Strandberg, Diane Wabbe, Mary Wilson, and Commissioner Tom Workman.
The Carver County Commissioners appropriated funds for special programming and projects that the Sesquicentennial Committee oversees including
- the sesquicentennial calendar for 2005
- a special County Commissioners meeting on March 3 to mark the anniversary date
- sesquicentennial school curriculum suggestions for area teachers
- driving tour of historic places around the county
- sesquicentennial activities for the county fair
As part of the sesquicentennial planning process, the Carver County Historical Society submitted a grant proposal to the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This grant was approved and will help cover costs related to other sesquicentennial projects including
- the expanded website that you are currently enjoying
- a traveling exhibit that features the letters of early Carver County pioneers, Theodore and Sophie Bost
- a semi-permanent exhibit at the Carver County Historical Society museum featuring the themes of immigration and community
- an educational outreach program focused on local immigration
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is a federal grant-making agency that is dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities.
Other groups including the Carver County Sheriff's office, the Carver County library system, the Carver County Fair Board, and the Chaska Valley Family Theater are also doing programming to mark the county's sesquicentennial. We appreciate their involvement in celebrating this milestone.
We also want to acknowledge Eric Swanson who designed the sesquicentennial portion of the website, Dianne Strandberg who has volunteered too many hours to count on various sesquicentennial activities, and Kevin Coffel of Antique Woodworks for securing the salvaged wood for our traveling exhibit. Finally, we are grateful for the financial assistance for the sesquicentennial projects provided by the Carver County Commissioners and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
|
