Prospect House Museum Quarterly Newsletter

Over the past 10 years I have visited Prospect House many times. As a person with a degree in history, interest in the Civil War, and an educator; I find Prospect House to be the most relevant historical place in Minnesota and five state areas. Shawnda Jibben Prospect House Named to the National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. A preliminary study was completed and found the house met the standards for the National Register as a fine example of Georgian Revival architecture in a small west central Minnesota town. On May 28, 2013 Prospect House was added to the list of historic places. A letter from our Founder:

From the Desk of Jay Johnson Prospect House Museum Quarterly Newsletter

150 years ago “Cap” Colehour nearly died of Typhoid Fever. His brothers David, Hiram and Isaac all died in the war. “Cap” was also later shot twice in two different battles.

Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War continued this year with different happenings at the Museum. Probably the greatest “happening” was the outstanding number of people touring the Museum and their overwhelming enthusiasm for it. I have boasted that we have 100% satisfaction with our tours and it continues to be true with many, many repeat visitors. People drove 100’s of miles to see The Prospect House Museum, and left great comments in our guest book and “on the street”.

Another highlight was the 10 minute “special” about The Prospect House Museum on Pioneer Public Television, Post Cards Program.

We fully expect 2014 to be better in many areas with some exciting events, new and improved displays, new paint on the Prospect House, and even more visitors with our heightened visibility! I could not believe the number of Norwegian visitors. Visitors from other countries were particularly impressed. It is becoming evident that The Prospect House Museum has something special to offer our community and our region.

We are getting more local support all the time and have become well established. Now with a new sidewalk in front and the new Bike Trail coming to town, we need to work on attracting their business. There are plenty of things to do and new avenues to explore. It promises to be a good year!!

Thank you ALL for your support,

Jay Johnson

The Year in Review 2013 pulled pork dinner, sponsored in full by the February –For Valentine’s Day we displayed Shoreline Restaurant Battle Lake, benefiting the antique valentines, many of which were over 100 Prospect House Museum. It was a sold-out crowd! years old. Our special guests were President July – A special garden tour of 5 beautiful local Abraham and Mrs. Lincoln. Coffee and cookies gardens was held to benefit the Prospect House were served. garden project. Lake Country Gardens has May -- “Tea with Kay” provided a chance to visit donated plans for restoring the more than 125 year- with some of the great art work of Kay Johnson, old property to its original beauty. Profits from the granddaughter of Cap and mother of Jay, our garden tour were ear-marked for completing the museum guide. Tea and snacks were provided. garden project. The Kurt Maethner, Ross and Mary June – Monroe Crossing provided a concert after a Larson, Laurel and Bud Malmstrom, Dave Berg

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Gardens, and Nellda and Floyd Lehne Gardens were on display.

The last weekend in July we celebrated with our 150th Civil War Commemorative Event with a Civil War cannon, tours of the Civil War Museum, music and refreshments. We also were privileged to host Darryl Sannes of the Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force, who by the way was a big sponsor of the event. And a special thank you to Cody Mills of Straight Forward Computing for his very generous sponsorship of this event.

and some folks even came in their own costumes. August – The Colehour family operated a soda booth at the Renaissance Fair in Shakopee with Prospect House sharing in the profits.

What’s happening this year? September – Marked the anniversary of the Battle of February 14, 2014 - "Veterans of the Civil War" Chickamauga, 18th and 19th, where The display explores the contributions of Civil War James (Cap) A. Colehour was wounded in 1863. vets in Ottertail County. It opened on Friday, February 14 with an open house from 4-7pm at the October – Over 50 kids stopped by to get a jack-o- Otter Tail County Historical Society in Fergus Falls, lantern and a Halloween treat... MN. As part of the exhibit OTCHS is sponsored a December – A Holiday Gala was hosted by the Friday morning Coffee Klatch series through March Prospect House and Civil War Museum. It was in the Museum's library at 10am beautifully catered by Gwendolyn’s with delicious February 21, Jay Johnson spoke on "The Life and tidbits and wine. Times of James Allison Colehour". For more information contact the Otter Tail County Matti’s Millenary and Costumes showed off Historical Society at 218-736-6038. beautiful dresses

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July 26 and 27 – 150th Celebration of the Civil perennial flowers. Create displays for container War The event will be filled with re-enactors, Civil gardens. Weeding, watering and deadheading War cannons, sewing and lace displays, ammo plants. Fall clean-up and winterization of flower displays, food vendors, musicians (Civil War beds. music), and more. Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday Housekeepers—Keep building in clean and orderly Noon - 5pm condition. Perform cleaning duties such as cleaning Parade in the evening floors, dusting furniture and washing glass. Monroe Crossing Concert: 8pm - 10pm LACC for Volunteer recruiters—The volunteer recruiter will more information contact the Museum. identify volunteer opportunities, develop a volunteer application, and review process. We need volunteers: Greeters – Welcome visitors to the Museum and Want to make a contribution to the community? collect payments. Assure that information is We can use your help. We need: gathered regarding visitors name, address, and Gardeners: Got a green thumb? Come help us emails for follow-up. beautify our gardens. Volunteer to aid in If you would like to talk to us about volunteer maintaining the outdoor gardens. Clean garden beds opportunities please call us at: (218) 864-4008 and prepare them for planting of annuals and

4 FY 2014 SPRING FUND DRIVE