In the "News"

This page will feature articles and stories about the Society that are published in the Marcus News and other newspapers.
 

Published June 21 in the Cherokee Chronicle-Times, by Nancy Hohbach:

Saving the Marcus heritage

For a couple of years, a group of Marcus residents have been in the beginning phases of creating a historical society to preserve the heritage of the community.

Rod Ogren put a small ad in the Marcus News asking for people who would be interested in starting such an organization to meet in city hall.  The result was many folks showing up to begin the discussion of forming a group and how to go about it.

They began this effort in 2005 and in March 2007, the group was able to purchase the former Danish Lutheran Church for $7500 through a donation by Bob and Max Reed, former Marcus residents who presently live in Florida.

June Diaz [sic], a Marcus 1986 graduate who returned to Marcus to raise her family, is president of the group; Jim Nielsen is vice president; Maxine Shea serves as secretary; Jerry Meylor is treasurer and Jim Wiese is a board member-at-large.  They officially incorporated the group in July 2006 and got membership in the Iowa Museum Association.  The organization qualified for tax deductible charity status which also makes it eligible for grants.

There are presently about 60 members who meet monthly on the fourth Tuesday.  Some of these members are former Marcus residents who help out financially and any way they can.  They see a need to preserve Marcus heritage.

The group has set up an acquisition committee to oversee what should be included in the museum as they want everything in the building to pertain to Marcus heritage.  They will also have a curator to oversee gifts to make sure it is applicable to the museum.

The group has meeting space in the building.

The group purchased shelving from the former Ben Franklin building in Orange City.  Farmers State Bank donated a copy machine to the group.  They are planning on installing a new metal roof on the building which will also include gutters and downspouts by a local contractor.  They are also in the process of getting a sign painted by Holton Signs of Cherokee.

To do all of this, the group is engaged in several fundraisers.  One of the most unique ideas centers around a deck of cards.  They are selling 54 cards: the aces are selling for $200; the face cards and wild cards are going for $150 and the number cards are going for $60.  Businesses, organizations and families may put whatever photo and information they want out there on the number side and on the back will be a photo of the Marcus Historical building.  They are ordering 1000 sets of cards to sell at $10 each.

They are also going to be selling 2008 calendars sponsored by various Marcus businesses at $12 each or 2 for $20.  The calendar will feature black and white photos of Marcus early days.  Both items will be on sale during the Marcus Fair at their booth and later at the historical building.  In addition, they have a plaque which has space for 45 nameplates which are being sold for a minimum of $100 each.  Five of those have already been sold.

They also sponsored a city-wide garage sale last Saturday.

Published May 2007 in the Cherokee Chronicle-Times, Gray Matter by Margaret Dorr:

Marcus Historical Society

It is good to hear of the "new" alternative energy projects and other "new" businesses being proposed in Cherokee County. There are "new" community gathering places and a "new" aquatic center, as well. But it is also good to hear of a special effort to preserve the "old," for it's said that a healthy culture does not forgets its origins. Many communities are already engaged in historic preservation, so I am pleased to tell you of one more enthusiastic group.

Folks interested in the formation of an historical society in Marcus first met less than a year ago. These meetings were prompted by suggestions from Bob Reed, of Orlando, FL, one of the town's greatest boosters and most faithful expatriates. The movement grew so rapidly that by mid-July Articles of Incorporation had been approved by the Office of the Secretary of State. The Marcus Historical Society became a reality in time to enter a vintage truck in the Marcus Fair Parade and to sponsor a prize-winning booth in the Varied Industries Building where many members were enrolled. The growing membership now goes far beyond the local area. Enthusiasts literally blanket the nation, from Rhode Island to California and from Florida to Minnesota!

Thelma Gravenish, Marcus writer who keeps the community informed, reports that the Society has purchased the former Danish Lutheran Church, at 208 W. Cedar St. from Faith Lutheran Church which had used it for Sunday School rooms before their recent remodeling. Renovation of the historic 1904 building will soon be underway. Funding for the purchase and part of the renovation was provided by Robert and Maxine Reed of Orlando, FL, and it is to be named The Reed Center of the Marcus Historical Society, in memory of Robert "Bob's" parents Carl A. and Hazel A. Reed.

Carl came to Marcus in 1930 and served as the IC Railroad station agent until his retirement in 1949. During those years he was a member of the Legion, Masons, and volunteer fire department. His wife, Hazel, belonged to OES, PEO, Tourist Club and Garden Club. Both were very active in the Methodist Church. Hazel, an accomplished pianist, sometimes accompanied the choir in which Carl always sang bass, and she was also a faithful Ladies Aid member. In view of all of their community activities, it's appropriate to have the Center named in their honor.

As there are other area locations where generic historical objects are on display, it is the Society's intention for its collection to be quite Marcus-specific. An impartial curator and an acquisitions committee will carefully consider all materials with that in mind. It will be well publicized when the renovations are complete and the Society is ready to accept objects, either as gifts or on loan. That should not be too long, judging from the enthusiasm that is running high, for example, many MMC art students are participating in a contest to design a logo for the Society's use. The winner will be awarded a $100 scholarship. Meanwhile, several fundraising projects are being planned by the society members.

With so much tumult and disaster around us, don't you agree that it is gratifying to watch the "new" taking shape, and the "old" being preserved here in Cherokee County, our very special corner of the world.

Published April 12, 2007 in the Marcus News:

Marcus Historical Society Membership

The Marcus Historical Society wants YOU to become a member!  Exciting things are happening within the Society.  We've recently purchased the Reed Center (former Danish Lutheran Church) to use as our history center, or Marcus mini-museum, if you will.  We're working on some needed renovations to the structure, and we will soon be collecting items for display.  Many of the MMC Art Students are participating in a contest to design a logo for the Society's use.  The prize for the winning artist is a $100 scholarship!  We've got several fundraising events being planned, the first of which is sponsoring the Marcus City-Wide Garage Sales taking place June 15 and 16.

Membership in the Society is officially nationwide!  We've got members from Rhode Island to California, Florida to Minnesota, and lots of places in between.

The Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm in the Community Room of Farmers State Bank.

[This article was followed by a slightly condensed version of the membership application.]

Published April 5, 2007 in the Marcus News:

Rah, Rah Rah and a Sis Boom Bah!!

Jump on the band wagon and enjoy the ride.  The Reed-Marcus Historical Society owns the old Nazareth Danish Church and we are starting at the top.  All speeds are forward as Bob and Maxine Reed donated $10,000 to our efforts in memory of Bob's parents, Carl and Hazel Dockendorf Reed.  They moved to Marcus in November of 1930 with their daughter, Eleanor and son, Warren.  Carl was depot agent for the IC Railroad.  Robert, better known as Bob, was born February 18, 1932 in Marcus.  All three graduated from old Marcus High.  Eleanor was known for her beautiful singing.  Warren for his journalism and Bob, for his quick wit, singing, writing and many other attributes.  We will start at the top as the roof is leaking.  We are accepting bids for the re-shingling with new gutters.  We invite one and all, current and former Marcusites and interested neighbors, to join us in our endeavor to preserve Marcus history for future generations.  We meet the last Tuesday evening of every month with the date, time and place, published in the Marcus News.  June Pallesen Dias is president, Jim Nielsen - vice-president, Maxine Shea, secretary and Gerald Meylor, treasurer.  Remember our Marcus motto: "With Pride in the Past and Faith in the Future."              Thelma

Published March 22, 2007 in the Marcus News:

Marcus Historical Society Purchases Building

The Marcus Historical Society has purchased the former Danish Lutheran Church building, which was most recently used as Sunday School classrooms by Faith Lutheran Church.

Funding for the purchase of the building was provided by Robert and Maxine Reed in memory of his parents, Carl A. and Hazel A. Reed.  The building will therefore be named the Reed Center of the Marcus Historical Society.

The Society plans to start renovations soon.  Donations of labor, time and materials would be greatly appreciated.  Several fundraising events are being planned as well.

The Society looks forward to the Reed Center showcasing our community's "Pride in the Past."