Latest news with #DouglasCountyHistoricalSociety
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump cut funding for Lawrence museum. How community rallied to raise it back
After facing federal grant cuts, the Douglas County Historical Society has regained its financial footing with the support of the Lawrence community, an online fundraiser and a generous private donor. The society's museum, the Watkins Museum of History, located at 11th and Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, celebrated its 50th anniversary in April. But the party was rained on when, also in April, a $50,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services was terminated due to an executive order from President Donald Trump. Executive Order 14238 continues the reduction of the federal bureaucracy that President Trump has maintained is unnecessary. But the move has also put Congressionally-approved federal funding like the musueum grant in jeopardy. 'It was granted to us by a federal institution authorized by Congress,' said Will Haynes, the deputy director for engagement and learning at the Watkins Museum. 'This was illegal what they were doing, and what they are doing still.' The grant would have funded an educational project called 'Seeking a More Perfect Union, ' said Haynes. It included lesson plans and teacher resources on the Underground Railroad, which was active in Lawrence. The society has an important duty to share the roots of the city, he said. 'Lawrence has a history that is nationally significant because the city was founded as part of the movement against slavery,' said Haynes. 'We take that special history seriously, and we try to interpret history in such a way that we show folks how it's relevant to this day.' The grant cut caused a $13,000 loss for the society. The termination was due to the project being deemed to 'no longer serve the interest of the United States,' stated a letter from the IMLS. 'The claim that it does not serve the interest of the United States was false, and I think evidence of that is seen in the great outpouring of support that we got with the GoFundMe campaign,' said Haynes. Last week, the society finally recovered the $13,000 lost due to the grant funding being pulled after a private donor contributed $6,000, in addition to the more than $5,000 raised from GoFundMe, Haynes said. 'It was a very gratifying thing to see the support of the public, and it was a reminder that the public supports what our museum and other museums and historic sites do,' he said. Watkins Museum is considered a staple of the Lawrence community by many, according to Haynes. The free museum brings in about $1.5 million yearly in revenue for the county. In fact, the society recently received a proclamation from the city commemorating their work. 'We're still following the same mission that we did back in 1933 of preserving the county history, and I'm having it available to tell stories of local history and then interpreting those artifacts, documents, and stories for people today,' said Haynes.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Community Calendar: State park cleanups, Easter at Fairlawn, prom dress sale and SKYWARN training
Apr. 11—Superior: Opening reception for Susanna Gaunt's Re(Collect) art exhibit is at 5 p.m. at the Douglas County Historical Society, 1101 John Ave. The exhibit asks viewers about their collecting habits and draws connections to the historical society's collection. Meet the artist and bring a collectible for a show-and-tell. Superior: A fundraiser for the Superior campus of the Children's Dyslexia Center of Upper Wisconsin is 6-9 p.m. at the Billings Park Civic Center, 3903 N. 18th St. Admission is $30 and includes dinner, games and auctions. Amnicon: Help clean up Amnicon State Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the park office, then head out to help ready the park and its campsites for the season. Lunch provided and volunteers are entered into a drawing for park gifts. If you have them, bring gloves, rakes, shovels, branch loppers, wheelbarrows and other cleanup supplies. Superior: A women's wellness symposium is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the third floor of the former post office building at 1401 Tower Ave. $75. Includes four speakers, yoga and lunch. More info and tickets at Superior: Take a cold plunge into Lake Superior, warm up in a sauna and around a campfire from 10 a.m. to noon at Wisconsin Point near lot 5. The free event is sponsored by LiveWell and the University of Wisconsin-Superior. Superior: Fairlawn Mansion hosts an Easter event from 12-3 p.m. with an egg hunt, photos with the Easter Bunny, Peeps art contest voting, games, crafts and more. Cost is $5 for adults, and children, who must be accompanied by an adult, are free. Bennett: A spaghetti dinner and craft sale fundraiser for the Bennett Volunteer Fire Department is 4-7 p.m. at the Bennett Town Hall. Meal is $10 for adults and $5 for children. $10 to reserve a craft fair table; call or text 218-349-8818. Superior: Harbor City Roller Derby kicks off its season against the Med City Mafia at 6 p.m. at Wessman Arena. Admission is $15 for most and free for children 12 and under with a paid adult. Superior: Mixed martial arts returns to the Superior Curling Club facility, 4700 Tower Ave., at 6 p.m. Approximately 20 fights are planned. Tickets are $30-$60 and parking is $6. Tickets available at Inner Strength Martial Arts, Superior Tan, Ignite Dispensary, or online for an additional fee. Minong: Project Prom Dress shopping is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jack Link's Aquatic Center. Donated used dresses available for $20, shoes for $10 and purses and jewelry for $5. Superior: Minnesota Teen Challenge Choir performs during 9:30 a.m. service at Bethel Lutheran Church, 5821 John Ave. Potluck to follow. Town of Superior: Help clean up Pattison State Park from 1-5 p.m. Meet at the park office before going out to clean up trees and brush, wrap kindling and make sure the park and its campsites are ready for the season. If you have them, bring gloves, rake, shovel, branch lopper and wheelbarrow. Volunteers will be entered into a drawing for park items. Superior: A fundraiser for the Superior City Football Club is 3-6 p.m. at Empire Coffee, 1204 Tower Ave. $15 admission includes chili, music from Austin Castle and silent auction. Anyone can enter the chili cookoff. Superior: Area churches sponsor a free community meal from 5:30-8 p.m. every Sunday at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 820 Belknap St. Lake Nebagamon: Get help using your phone, tablet or laptop from 10-11 a.m. at the Imogene McGrath Memorial Library. Solon Springs: Get help using your phone, tablet or laptop from 1-2 p.m. at the Joan Salmen Memorial Library. Solon Springs: Douglas County's annual fish and wildlife spring hearing is at 6:30 p.m. at the Solon Springs Community Center. Discuss issues with the Wisconsin Conservation Congress and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and vote for county delegates to the conservation congress. Solon Springs: National Weather Service Duluth holds a SKYWARN spotter class from 6-8 p.m. at the Douglas County Highway Operations Center, 7403 County Road E. Learn about the science of storms and how spotters help keep their communities safe. For a schedule of other classes in the region and virtual classes go to Amnicon: The Old Brule Heritage Society holds its April general meeting starting at 6 p.m. with coffee and goodies at the Amnicon Town Hall, 8985E Highway 2. A musical program follows with one-man band Steve Solkela, and a short meeting follows the program. Everyone is invited to attend. Superior: Storytime is 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Superior Public Library. Superior: Get help using your phone, tablet or laptop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Superior Public Library. Superior: Free memory and brain health screenings are offered first come, first served from 12-2 p.m. at the Superior Douglas County Family YMCA. Superior: Play free bingo from 2-3 p.m. at the Lew Martin Senior Center, 1527 Tower Ave. Sponsored by Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency and Superior Public Library. Superior: Embark Supported Employment invites people who have a disability to make friendship bracelets and socialize from 6-7:30 p.m. at 2320 Hill Ave. Call 715-392-6171 to RSVP. Superior: The Alzheimer's Association presents a free program about the latest in Alzheimer's and dementia research at 10:30 a.m. at the Superior Public Library. Superior: A support group for caregivers meets at 2 p.m. at the Superior Douglas County Family YMCA. Facilitated by Senior Connections and Aging and Disability Resource Center staff. Superior: Learn about how to designate a power of attorney for health care and finances from 3-7 p.m. at Superior Public Library. The free event includes resources, witnesses available to sign documents and refreshments. Hosted by the library and Caregiver Coalition of Douglas County. Superior: Great Lakes Elementary PTO hosts a movie night at 5:30 p.m. "Inside Out 2" begins at 6 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own chair. Concessions for sale. Superior: Financial adviser Dean McCall will give a free talk on "The Path Toward Financial Well-Being" at 6 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin-Superior in the Yellowjacket Union Great Room. More information and registration at // . Superior: Square Lake Film Festival holds a showcase of independent short films at 7:45 p.m. at Earth Rider Brewery's Cedar Lounge, 1715 N. Third St. Misisipi Mike performs before and after. $10 admission.
