MONDAY MORNING MUSEUM UPDATE – May 12, 2025 – Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum

In this week’s update: Old Mill on “Taste, See, Do” PBS program; Upcoming genealogy workshops; Swedish Pavilion update; and more!

In our weekly update, keep up to date on what staff and volunteers at the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum are working on to lift up the history of Lindsborg and the surrounding region. This weekly update both looks back at what happened last week and looks ahead at what’s coming.

For May 5-11, 2025:

Be sure to tune in to PBS Channel 8 at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 to see the museum represented on the new KPTS program “Taste, See, Do”!
This week’s program with host Phil Richardson focuses on some of the best Lindsborg has to offer – the Old Mill is the “See” highlight, while Indigo Moo’d ice cream is “Taste” and quadcycles at Hemslöjd are the “Do” attraction.
Check out the above link for a preview trailer; if you miss seeing the live broadcast you can also follow that link for a video on demand of the program.
We’re so excited to be invited to represent Lindsborg in this way!
Two upcoming genealogy workshop events are coming in the next few weeks and are currently open for registration! (Please note that we are now using a new process with the Eventbrite platform for registration and payment – don’t let that scare you off!)
Sue Schlichting with Pursuing YOUR Past will present “Inspiring the Next Generation of Genealogists” on Saturday, May 31. It is free for museum members or just $10 for non-members. Register and pay for the presentation at the link HERE.
Then on Saturday, June 7, we’ll have our next virtual Swedish Genealogy Workshop with four great sessions, including the return of Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective. The cost is $50, or $30 for museum members. Register and pay at the link HERE.
Perfect Blend Construction has continued repair work on 1904 World’s Fair Swedish Pavilion outside on the north face of the building!
Last week included installing a plywood shear wall and concrete footings attached to the foundation.
Once this side is completed, they will be moving to install stability on the south side of the Pavilion – the “face” of the Swedish manor-style historic building.
The work is estimated to be completed by early summer; and when completed, this will allow us to safely reopen the Pavilion to the public! Thanks to everyone who donated to help us reach the $151,500 needed for these critical repairs! Tax credits are still available for the 2025 tax year, with proceeds going to help with a new planned Pavilion roof! Learn more at www.oldmillmuseum.org/save-the-pavilion.
This week we received a $15,000 unrestricted grant from the Barbro Osher Foundation! Thank you!
We’re giving one last chance to bid on silent auction items from Millfest. The remaining items are posted on Facebook here, along with prices. First to comment or message us willing to pay the minimum bid will win it!
The remaining items are:
-Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) including protective cover contributed by Lindsborg Old Mill Museum – $245 minimum bid (2 available).
-Framed acrylic painting by Randy Clark – $60 minimum bid (two different paintings available).
-Wine rack, merlot candle and wine glass set contributed by Collections & Essentials – $85 minimum bid
-Scentsy Fragrance Bag contributed by Jeanie Murphy (Air fresheners and laundry sampler) – $12 minimum bid
-Aviator sunglasses contributed by a local resident – $5 minimum bid
We had great coverage recently in a number of publications, including: the Lindsborg News-Record wrote a story about the antique tractor show during Millfest and our paid ad appeared on page 11 of the USA Today Travel “Midwest Go Escape” Special Section. Also, Good Day Kansas came last Friday to shoot footage for a segment planned to appear later in May.
Adam gave a tour to a small group of 8 from Chase USD 401 last Wednesday!
Adam worked on securing and selection of photos for a new back gallery display in the museum.
Aubrey is working on setting up a regular rotation of volunteers to help us covering the main desk and greeting visitors.
Aubrey is working on a contract agreement with a position focused on grant writing. In the meantime, she worked on two letters of intent and one application on upcoming grants.
We are getting a quote on some repairs needed on the entryway floor of the Train Depot.
Aubrey is working on developing a market feasibility study for planned Swedish Pavilion enhancements.
Aubrey hired a contractor to trim trees on Heritage Square. This will finish out the projects under the $250,000 SPRINT grant.
Aubrey worked on the mini-exhibit with volunteer Ava Toll.
Aubrey sought feedback on Millfest for Kids from participating schools and demonstrators.
Adam monitored the watering of the newly placed sod to make sure the new grass “takes.”
Adam started working on the summer 2025 member newsletter.
Adam processed one renewing membership.
Lenora helped a researcher about Swedish family history.
Lenora started working through a donation of historic photographs.
Lenora met for coffee at Sunflower Terrace on Tuesday to gather local oral history.
Lenora has continued working on an indexing project under contract with ArkivDigital.
Tyler continued working on research for the Svensk Hyllningsfest project.
Need a great gift for the genealogist or history enthusiast in your life? NEW in the museum gift shop, you can now purchase a gift certificate good for a free registration to one of the museum’s Online Swedish Genealogy Workshops anytime in 2025 ($50) or a 2025 Pursuing YOUR Past presentation ($10). Your gift recipient will receive a one-time-use code by email or mail good to pay for the registration fee for one of these popular sessions!