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Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Carnegie Historical Museum: Looking Back and Moving Forward
2022 was a year of growth and activity for the Carnegie Historical Museum. The museum brought in more visitors, trained more volunteers, and hosted more tours than ever before. Director Mark Shafer’s historical passion was obvious this past year in his creation of the Underground Railroad exhibit and in the organizing of the Juneteenth Celebration. He was excited that Fairfield had been a major player in the secret operations of the Underground Railroad and wanted people to know about it: “The heroic activities of Jefferson County will astound you” he wrote. “It will never be known how many “freedom seekers” found their way north out of bondage through our town.”
The lower gallery, which exhibits Fairfield and Jefferson County history, has been a magnet for the locals and a favorite spot for those celebrating class reunions. Conversations here often start with “I remember…”, as visitors blend their personal memories and their families’ history with the artifacts on display. Each week new items are added to the exhibits which cover everything from the history of our schools, churches and small towns to Fairfield’s industry and businesses.
2022 saw the establishment of the Heritage Farm Display which celebrates the Jefferson County farms that have been in the same family for 150 years or more. Each month sees a different family highlighted. Also new in 2022, the start of monthly Lunch and Learns. These lunch hour presentations are a perk for volunteers and the Friends of the Museum. And this past year also saw the development of a partnership with the Fairfield Public Library; the museum provides, on a rotating basis, exhibits for the Library’s display case.
This past year the Carnegie Museum Foundation continued fundraising for the monies needed to preserve this historic building. They contracted the services of Otto Baum Company, Inc. of Morton, Illinois who made an on-site visit to look at the repairs needed. The contractors will begin the stabilization of the southwest corner of the building in 2023.
2022 ended on a sad note for the Carnegie Historical Museum with the passing of its director Mark Shafer. His loss will be deeply felt, but his intense love for local history and his great desire to share that with others will lead the museum board and staff strongly into the future.
Students from the Character & Community after school program climb up the stairs to the 3rd floor under the watchful gaze of the Bison head, on the wall in the stairwell since 1914. To schedule a tour for your students, contact Jake Schmidt at 641-472-6343. (Photo submitted)
Volunteer Chuck Belgarde prepares to return the mastodon tusk to the fossil exhibit case that had just been cleaned and updated. Volunteers are an essential aspect of the Carnegie Museum; some help man the museum on Saturday's, others mind the store, and others help behind the scenes. (Photo courtesy of Therese Cummiskey)
Carnegie Historical Museum board member Karen Denenberg gingerly examines a collection of 1916 newspapers from Lockridge, Iowa. It is hoped that this fragile collection can be digitized. (Photo courtesy of Therese Cummiskey)
Carnegie Historical Museum curator Jake Schmidt shakes the hand of Laurie Bennett, whose family farm was highlighted in the Heritage Farm Exhibit during the month of February 2023. Her great great grandfather recorded the deed to their Blackhawk township farm in 1864. (Photo courtesy of Therese Cummiskey)
