Historical Society Builds Community Strength

Assessment by collections management experts. Check.
Assessment by nonprofit administration experts. Check.
Assessment by disaster preparedness experts. Check.
Rebranding yourself for a new beginning and bringing in community leaders. Check and double check.
When the SCV Historical Society started planning for a new local history museum in the Pardee House at the History Center, their first move was to gather a group of community leaders to help recruit a museum consultant, which led to an evaluation of the consultant’s work and plans to move ahead to address the group’s most critical needs. At the top of that list: commitment from the community leaders that soon became locked in. That vision expanded from a single structure to the entire 14-acre Center.
On October 24, the first official meeting of the SCV Historical Society Advisory Board was held at Hart Hall. Over lunch, the group heard presentations from Society President Alan Pollack and VP Leon Worden on the colorful history of the Society and its growth over the last half-century, saw conceptual drawings of the History Center campus by graphic designer and board member Greg Wilzbach, and participated in a discussion initiated by staff member Lois Bauccio and board member Jim Ventress about the Center’s five-year plan and sponsorship opportunities.
While restoration continues on the eight buildings on the museum campus, Advisory Board members are working on raising money to provide for basic needs and “blue sky” dreams, as presented by Wilzbach on the multitude of conceptual art boards. At completion, the History Center will be a place where visitors of all ages will be able to learn about history with an inclusive outlook and community buy-in.
Members of the inaugural Advisory Board include Tim Burkhart, Tom Cole, Mary Ann Colf, Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Don Kimball, Mike Kuhlman, Phil Lantis, Marlee Lauffer, John Musella, Matt Nelson, Lance O’Keefe, Rudy Ortega, Jr., Frank Oviedo, Patti Rasmussen, Fred Trueblood, Dr. Dianne Van Hook, Ivan Volschenk, Shannon Vonnegut, Marc Winger and Tim Williams.
The growing History Center is looking for input from everyone, so send your ideas to crock@scvhs.org or make a donation towards the Center’s future at www.scvhs.org.