9.c) Staff Report-Washington County Historical Society Donation 9 . ��
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SCANDIA
Staff Renort
Date of Meeting: December 17, 2013
To: City Council
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: Washington County Historical Society Donation
Bacicground:
In 2012,the City Council approved giving $1,000 to the Washington County Historical Society
(WCHS) for the Heritage Center in Stillwater. A letter requesting another donation was received
this fall. A copy of the letter is included in your packet.
Issue:
Should funding be included in the 2013 or 2014 budget for the Washington County Historical
Society? If so, where do the funds come from?
Proposal Details:
The request this year is not as specific as last year's. This is a general reyuest for any amount of
funds ($150-1,000)to help WCHS carry out its mission.
Fiscal Impact:
Will depend on amount and timing of donation.
Options:
1) Approve a certain amount to donate to WCHS in 2013
2) Approve a certain amount to donate to WCHS in 2014.Note: The 2014 budget should be
amended before final adoption if this is chosen.
3) Do not donate to WCHS
Recommendation:
Option 3. If City taxpayers want to donate to WCHS they can do so directly themselves.
�S� H T N NT� I ST �I t�l 0�I�T�
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December 2,2013
Gateway to Minnesota History RECEIVED
City of Scandia
14727 209'�Street North DEC -3 2013
Scandia,Minnesota 55073
CITY OF SCANDIA
Dear City of Scandia:
The Washington County Historical Society[WCHS]has been the cazetaker of our county history for more than
three quarters of a century.In that time our mission has remained the same—"to collect,preserve and disseminate"
the history of Washington County and the state of Minnesota.
In doing so,we have been able to produce information about each and every community in Washington County,
compile it into p�ihlic�tions and currently have it on the internet for all people around the world to access.
Among those items on our website include community histories—which have proved valuable to students and
everyday people trying to find out about the place in which they live.WCHS also has information on all 79 nual
schools that once dotted the landscape of the county.This service has been given to the citizens of Scandia by the �
Washington County Historical Society to use anytime they need to.
We are asking the City of Scandia to help the Washington County Historical Society continue the mission to collect
the history of the region for those citizens of today and for those that will follow us.
Donations to the WCHS will impact our organization by directly supporting the areas of greatest need:
• Operating our interpretive museums that showcase county heritage,
• Allowing free access to community heritage on line [www.wchsmn.org]
• Assisting researchers to document their own,local,county and state history,
• Preserving the artifacts in our collections[a gift of$225 will allow WCHS to purchase 3 quilt size archival
boxes]
A contribution of 5150,$250,$500,or$1,000 will make a significant difference to our organization.
We would like to thank you in advance for your consideration on our request for an annual donation to the
Historical Society.Together,we can insure that the future generations will be able to learn from the past and
present—to help avoid our mistakes and bring forward our successes.
Most s' ely,
Brent T.Pete on
Executive Director
Washington County Historical Society
Founded in 1934, the Washington County Historical Society is a private, donor-supported, nonprofit S01 C3 organization with
more tha» 7S0 individual,family, and business members. WCHS is supported by individual gifts, memberships, earned income,
and foundation grants. The WCHS receives no assistance from Washington County.
I'O. Box 167, Stillwater, MN 55082-0167 � 651-439-5956 - www.wchsmn.org