Monday, April 26, 1999

House to store history planned

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Monroe museum raising money

BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Alice Frazee, a board member of the historical society, straightens a quilt depicting Monroe landmarks. (Dick Swaim photo) | ZOOM |

        MONROE — As the city says hello to the new millennium, the Monroe Historical Society hopes to say goodbye to its tiny museum on Main Street and move into a new building next door.

        The historical society has raised about one-third of the estimated $150,000 needed for a 3,000-square-foot museum. Officials hope to have all the money soon, said Joyce Tannreuther, society president.

        When the land for the new museum was donated to the historical society recently by former resident James L. Price, the society launched the fund-raising effort, Mrs. Tannreuther said.

        “Without this land donation, we wouldn't have been able to even think about getting a new building at this time,” Mrs. Tannreuther said.

        “Monroe is a small town. We're very lucky to be able to have the little museum we have. To think about having a nice big museum — everything we've ever dreamed of — it's tremendous.”

        The idea came from Councilman Bob Youtsler, a local history buff and among the society's 140 members, she said,

        “I kept taking things to Joyce for the society, and Joyce would say, "Bob this is great, but we don't have a place to put it.' I finally said, why don't we see about building a new place? She agreed it was a good idea to try.”

        Mrs. Tannreuther approached Mr. Price, of Middletown, who owns the building the society leases for a museum. He offered to donate the land, and it evolved from there, she said. The society sent letters to 400 area businesses and residents seeking donations, and the response has been great, she said.

        The museum opened in the 1910 structure on the corner of Main and Elm streets in 1990. Until then, the society, which started more than 30 years ago, met and stored historical artifacts in members' homes, Mrs. Tannreuther said.

        The estimated 400-square-foot museum has space for only small exhibits and limited displays of antique treasures. Many arti facts cannot be displayed and visitors' groups are limited because of the size.

        The new 1¹/₂-story building with a full basement will have ample space for large pieces of antique furniture and items now stored in the city-owned log cabin in the park.

        “And we can expand our tours for schoolchildren and have large groups in to visit,” Mrs. Tannreuther said.

        Mr. Youtsler said he wants to preserve the history for the children.

        “If we don't show them the past, they'll never know about their roots — understand how we got here,” Mr. Youtsler said. “You build your future through your past. Our hope is to let the children at all the area schools come through this building and learn about the area — the history.”

        No fund-raiser is planned, but one might become necessary if donations slow.

        “I'd like to see us bring in the year 2000 with a grand opening,” Mr. Youtsler said.

        Send tax-deductible donations to the Monroe Historical Society, Box 82, Monroe, OH 45050. Make checks payable to the society. Donors of $500 or more will get permanent recognition in the new museum building.

       

       

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