By RODNEY HATLE
New Richland Area Historical Society
Thanks to the generosity of visitors who offered talk, laughter, and curiosity about items on display at Farm and City Days this year, the New Richland Area Historical Society has again added information to its files.
During the society's 10 years, displays have been temporary due to lack of permanent rooms. Nevertheless, public interest in community history is evident.
Because available space has been variable during the last three years, some of the society's materials have not been set out. However, the most current things have been, and they attract attention.
This year's displays were again at the former hotel, after one year at New Richland Township Hall. On tables were 115 prints made from the 276 glass slides that date from about 1914 to 1940. All images can be viewed on disks: 189 children (individuals and sibling groups), 58 business and community scenes, 29 local and national advertising. These remain from the approximately 600 slides that suffered water damage.
An ongoing goal of NRAHS is to establish a permanent location so that rooms can be open more often than at the town's summer celebration.
In addition, the files and dozens of books and the notebooks with articles and pictures will be available upon request, according to the Board of Directors which collects and organizes New Richland area information.
Eventually, regular monthly meetings should be more easily attended by the public.
This is the tenth anniversary for NRAHS. It was organized in 2001 in preparation for the community's 125th anniversary in 2002.
