In this week’s update: $7,115.75 needed to prevent Swedish Pavilion loss, “Baking Spirits Bright” Nov. 23, ADA sidewalk done, 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 November 11-17, 2024:
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- We reached a new milestone of 60% on fundraising commitments under the Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce!
We also received an updated estimate quote on the amount that will be required for the most essential structural repair of the historic building: $151,500.
With 40 individuals, families, and businesses commit to contribute to this progress to the tune of $144,384.25, we just need $7,115.75 before the funding for the essential structural repair is secured!
This is a great time of year to consider making a donation under the program as the end of the calendar tax year approaches!
Read about all the latest here and let us know how much you are interested in contributing: www.oldmillmillmuseum.org/save-the-pavilion!
Any Kansas resident (or out-of-state resident who files a Kansas income tax return) can qualify to receive back a 70% fully refundable tax credit on their Kansas return with a donation of $250 or more to the project! The available tax credits will be used to enhance fundraising efforts for the Pavilion Restoration & Improvement Project. The credits are expected to raise $238,000 in donations, which will fully cover critical stabilization repairs to prevent collapse of the historic structure and will partially cover installation of a new, more historically accurate roof.
- We reached a new milestone of 60% on fundraising commitments under the Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits through the Kansas Department of Commerce!
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- We hope you can join us on this Saturday, November 23 for “Baking Spirits Bright” in Lindsborg! The museum’s part of this community event will be interactive activities from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Many other Lindsborg businesses and organizations are also participating. Read about all of the opportunities HERE.
- Our new ADA compliant sidewalk up to the main entrance of the museum is finished! This is a great step toward ensuring everyone can access the museum without barriers. This addition was paid for with funds from the SPRINT Grant the museum received from Kansas Commerce.
- SAVE THE DATE! Heritage Christmas 2024 will be 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14!
- Now through Giving Tuesday (December 3), donations made to the museum’s endowment with the Smoky Valley Community Foundation will be DOUBLED up to a total of $5,000, thanks to a match from the Patterson Family Foundation! This is a fantastic opportunity to make sure your giving dollars stretch further! We already received a donation of $750 from Broadway RFD, representing the profits from October’s performance of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Learn more details, as well as how to donate, HERE.
- Sponsorship Opportunities are now available for Millfest 2025 on May 3! In addition to general sponsorship opportunities, this year we are also providing a limited number of “Directed Sponsorship” for particular events and attractions – including face painting, the Old Mill tours, and music performances. You can also donate items for the Silent Auction the day of Millfest or work with us to make another in-kind donation of products or services. Please CONTACT US to arrange your donation.
- We have started to take reservations for Millfest for Kids on Friday, May 2! Get in touch if your school or homeschool group would like to participate.
- Aubrey volunteered with the Reality U at Smoky Valley High School last week. This is a program working to encourage youth financial literacy.
- Aubrey discussed next year’s Cultural Crawl event at the Lindsborg Cultural Association meeting last week.
- Final concept designs for the renewed Swedish Immigration Exhibit are nearing completion.
- Aubrey worked on finalizing the museum’s five-year strategic plan.
- Adam processed four renewing memberships. Total current active membership is 165. You can become a member today at www.oldmillmuseum.org/members.
- Our most recent recording from the Historical Speaker Series is now available on our YouTube page HERE.
- In partnership with the Smoky Valley Historical Association, Lenora submitted a grant application to digitize the museum’s historic multimedia collection.
- Lenora helped three people from Lawrence with doing Swedish genealogy research on a great-grandfather.
- NOW OPEN: “Skeleton-Of-Dog… Selected Geology & Natural History Artifacts from the Bethany College Collection Archives” is a temporary mini-exhibit at the museum featuring some unique artifacts not seen in public for decades!
- Our Endowment Campaign 2025 is ongoing to add $1 million to our endowment in supporting our annual operational budget to make sure that not only do we preserve these historical treasures, but we can also “keep the lights on.” Read more on the flyer and giving form below, or visit to www.oldmillmuseum.org/donations to learn more!
- NOW OPEN: “Skeleton-Of-Dog… Selected Geology & Natural History Artifacts from the Bethany College Collection Archives” is a temporary mini-exhibit at the museum featuring some unique artifacts not seen in public for decades!
- We hope you can join us on this Saturday, November 23 for “Baking Spirits Bright” in Lindsborg! The museum’s part of this community event will be interactive activities from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Many other Lindsborg businesses and organizations are also participating. Read about all of the opportunities HERE.
Thank you to our museum volunteers!
In particular last week, we had help from Betty Amos, Karmon Almquist, Leland Nelson, and Les Sperling.