__Anyone have information on this family or photo? Time unknown, occasion unknown, maybe 1930’s or 40’s, but a part of the Carlson negative collection, but this family would have been unique enough to Isanti County that perhaps someone can help us identify the picture.

It has been two weeks since my last update, ushering in Week 28 since the fire. The work on all recovered archives and photo negatives continues and one negative in particular caught our attention. With the Martin Luther King holiday upon us, it seemed fitting to bring it forth.

 

Isanti County was first settled by the New Englanders, followed by the Swedes, Germans and a smattering of other Scandinavians/Europeans. Taking all of these nationalities into account, we have not been surprised that all Carlson negatives have been of white residents thus far. That is, until this wonderful photo of a family of color surfaced. Because we do not have access to this negative’s original number, there is no way for us to check the logs to see when it was taken. Perhaps the 1930’s or 40’s, and we can only make a guess by the clothing and hairstyles. We probably will never know their names, where they lived, if it was in our county, or if they just visited the photo studio for this sitting. However, this is the case with all the negatives and photos in our collections that are not properly identified. Photo identification and stories are so important to history, and this fire is making us very aware of this fact as we handle the archival remains.

 

We continue to process the salvaged negatives, and I am sure there will be many more surprises to come. Also, our goal is to have inventoried all 61 boxes of freeze-dried material by the end of January. We are half-way there. There are surprises here too. Many photos have been saved—however, not all in good condition. We are very thankful for digital photo restoration and the fact that water stains, creases, burns, and other imperfections can be repaired. This is due to the magic of technology, and the talent and skills of photo restoration professionals.

 

Our marathon journey in recovery and rebuilding continues. If you want to support ICHS, donations are greatly appreciated and can be made by mail, at our website, or directly at Cambridge State Bank. For all other inquiries, visit www.ichs.ws, follow us on Facebook, call us at 763-689-4229, email at ichs@izoom.net or drop us a letter at 1700 E. Rum River Drive S., Suite K, Cambridge, MN 55008. We are open by appointment only at this time.

 

Kathleen J. McCully, Executive Director

Isanti County Historical Society

_Members of the International Coleman Collectors Club (ICCC) generously donated a very rare period–matching Coleman PQ QuickLite Chandelier and a Coleman CQ QuickLite Lamp to replace Historic St. John’s keepsakes which were destroyed in the Isanti County Historical Society arson fire in July of 2011.

These rare antiques (circa 1917) will be prominently displayed during the two ‘Lessons and Carols’ style programs to be held on Sunday afternoon, January 8, 2012, at the Historic church. The public is cordially invited to share in these Historic reenactment presentations – a German language program at 2:00 pm – and an English language Lessons, Carols & Candles program at 4:00 pm.

Relive the Christmas-season–ending program like German immigrants to Isanti County did back in 1882, when the Historic Church was built. Join in singing several ‘near and dear’ Christmas carols and hear the ‘Lessons’ in the Native German language. Join in a celebratory candle lighting ceremony guaranteed to deliver a ‘tug at the heart strings’, while singing ‘Silent Night’ as this one-of-a-kind holiday event concludes. Come and share in this delightful event – and check out the Antique Chandelier and Lamp, too.

The Historic Church is located 2 1/2 miles west of Isanti on County Rd 5 NW. Historic St. John’s is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been restored to its original condition by the Friends of Historic St. John’s, which sponsors and programs these unique events. A suggested $5.00 per adult contribution will offset presentation costs, and further assist in continuing the on–going renovation/restoration efforts.

__Another example of a Carlson Photo negative saved from the fire. This little gal surely has personality. Does anyone know who it could be?

So this is 2012, the New Year, Week 26, and the Isanti County Historical Society is ready to face the year ahead of change and decision. Change is really hard. We all like the comfort of tried and true ways to conduct business and do our jobs, even move through life. We do everything the same, over and over, never looking to see if there is a better way, or another way, until something happens, or breaks that changes the rhythm of the task.

 

This is what happened to the historical society. Overnight everything that we knew was gone. Our job descriptions were no longer valid (and I hate to have to write new ones, too), the tools we used to do our jobs were gone and we were broken at a massive scale. In 2012, the board, staff, volunteers and those with a passion for history are working at various levels to find other ways, hopefully better ways, to restore the rhythms of our business.

 

This is a very exciting time to think that we have a clean slate and can transform the business of history into a different form in Isanti County. In a world where information is readily available on the web, and technology is changing faster than anyone could ever have imagined, ICHS is determining how we fit in. Our collections are specific to Isanti County. What services can we provide to those interested in those collections? What types of expertise do we need to provide said services? How will those positions be funded, now and into the future?

 

David Grabitske of the Minnesota Historical Society presents five 21st Century challenges to local historical organizations <http://discussions.mnhs.org/mnlocalhistory/blog/2011/11/28/five-early-21st-century-challenges/> and we are not unique in trying to determine how we fit in and the questions we need to ask about how to remain viable and relevant to our community. How to fulfill our mission, how to satisfy 21st Century customer expectations, what types of workers are needed, how to remain fiscally solvent in a world of programmatic funding, what to collect, how much to collect and how to make it accessible. Everyone wants to know how to affect change in positive ways, including ICHS. We just have to also consider a few other variables in order to move forward.

 

We also have the decision of where… to relocate or rebuild? Another team of folks are doing research to determine the availability of alternate locations with suitable space, affordable rent, easy access, etc. Then we will move on to determine the costs of relocation or rebuilding? How much fundraising will we need to do, regardless of the location? Pros and cons will be weighed in order for the appropriate decisions to be made.

 

2012 is a pivotal year for the Isanti County Historical Society. These are huge decisions, all of which we have been trying to break into smaller steps so that we can manage them. Our intent is that knowing what type of services we provide will drive what type of location, or facility we rebuild. The final variable to the equation, however, is money in hand, and future funding.

 

This is a very exciting time for ICHS and the county’s history. Want a unique journey in 2012, a means by which to stretch your knowledge, meet new people, add to your resume, or just become involved as a volunteer. Knowing all that is ahead, I invite anyone who is interested in preserving the history of Isanti County, or that wants to be part of this legwork and decision making to call me. Change is in the air this year and I can’t wait to see what evolves.



Donations are greatly appreciated and can be made by mail, at our website, or directly at Cambridge State Bank. For all other inquiries, visit www.ichs.ws, follow us on Facebook, call us at 763-689-4229, email at ichs@izoom.net or drop us a letter at 1700 E. Rum River Drive S., Suite K, Cambridge, MN 55008. We are open by appointment only at this time.



Kathleen J. McCully, Executive Director

Isanti County Historical Society

 

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