52 Faces: Town’s history is her own, too
By Craig T. Neises, The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The one most are familiar with lies between
People in the know about the second one likely either live there, speak the language of the Roman Empire or have been to the
"I've enjoyed it so much. More than I ever thought I would. And I've learned a lot."
A lifelong
"I'm just kind of a volunteer, I guess," she said.
Her duties at the museum, which is open
Money left in a donation jar helps to cover expenses.
Some artifacts in the museum's small collection were obtained from the
There is a spinning wheel, milk bottles from local dairies, an Edison phonograph and set of cylinder recordings, a photo album containing photos of people whose identities are lost to history, stereographs and cards, an 1881 wedding dress and more.
"We really wanted to showcase a lot of the local history," Rechkemmer said, explaining that includes not only
New exhibits are a collaboration with fellow volunteer
"We've just got all kinds of ideas," Rechkemmer said, noting the next change will be this summer. Future exhibits may focus on the
A fourth-generation resident and the oldest of seven children, the town's history is her own.
Her great-grandfather was mayor when
She was there when girl's basketball was introduced at the school, and was a junior when coach
"When you're younger," Rechkemmer said, "I don't think you're all that interested in antiques, or in history."
After she retired two years ago, her own interest was piqued by a notice in the newspaper about an organizational meeting for the formation of a museum in
"I've enjoyed it so much," she said her association with the museum. "More than I ever thought I would. And I've learned a lot."
Upon her graduation from high school in 1963, Rechkemmer enrolled at
A job at a local grain elevator led to her recruitment by the county executive from the
There were more farmers then than now, she said. These days, big operators dominate agriculture.
"It used to be you would see a father, and a son, and maybe a grandfather," Rechkemmer said. "You just don't see that anymore."
The costs are just too high for young farmers to get in the business, she said.
During her working years, Rechkemmer was kept busy off the job by her children's many activities. Both now are in their 40s, her daughter a doctor in
She also held international office in the organization, which offers scholarships to students going into the medical field or religious studies, and supports educational programs for Native Americans living on reservations.
King's Daughters Camp Lookout at
Donations mostly come from members, who form circles in local communities.
"Unfortunately, it's a dying organization, like so many things are," Rechkemmer said, explaining the younger members needed to keep things going in future years just aren't there.
When not busy with the museum or King's Daughters, Rechkemmer said she likes to travel, and spends a couple of months each winter in
She also has joined a coffee klatch.
"I just didn't ever see myself doing that," Rechkemmer said of the group she meets with three or four times a week, not to gossip but to "talk about old time."
Several of the ladies from that group also volunteer at the museum.
It is a project Rechkemmer and other volunteers hope to see grow, in terms of space, hours and collection.
For now, there's enough in the collection and on-loan to rotate exhibits. Past themes have included Town & Country Days and Chautauqua and a Christmas exhibit focusing on local churches.
"We'd love to have more room, but at least it's a start," Rechkemmer said, adding groups always are welcome and more volunteers always are needed.
There's a larger museum in
But a local museum is worthwhile, too, for the focus it can bring. For instance, Rechkemmer spoke of meeting a man who was able to tell her what businesses had occupied every storefront along
"It's sort of that untapped knowledge," she said, "that's going to be lost one of these days, unless we start writing it down."
Don't be just a face in the crowd. Be one of the 52 Faces, appearing each Sunday in The Hawk Eye. Everybody has a story to tell. Share yours or nominate someone you know. Email your suggestion to [email protected], or call features editor
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