New Museum Coordinator Welcomed

In May of this year the Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society hired a part time coordinator for the forty volunteers whose efforts keep the museum open to the public three days a week for eight months of the year. Laurie Boyden of Mt. Horeb was one of about 17 applicants that applied for the position that the Historical Society announced early in the spring. She was selected on the basis of her skills as a professional graphic designer and for the immense enthusiasm and interest she relayed in both her application and interview. “I’m always up for a challenge. Never afraid of a challenge.” Besides coordinating volunteers she will assist with data entry at the archives when the museum is closed January through April.

Laurie grew up in Winona, MN but spent 17 years in New England after getting her degree in graphic design. She worked in Boston for design firms but also freelanced which she said exposed her to many interesting people and projects. Laurie moved with her husband David and three children from New Hampshire to Mt. Horeb in 1999. When she decided to come back to the Midwest to be closer to family, her sister, a librarian here, encouraged her to check out Mt. Horeb. Laurie and her family decided to settle here. Laurie already had an interest in the Historical Society from her friendship with long time society volunteer Marietta Gribb. Laurie wove her love of fabrics into her graphic design interest and is a skilled seamstress especially enjoying the creation of old fashioned clothing. This led her to do costumes for the drama club at the high school where she worked along with Marietta. Laurie said Marietta had planned for her to start working at the archives when the position was announced.

Laurie’s goal is to make the museum more visible not only to visitors but also to the locals whose history is what the museum is all about. “I want to keep people proud of where they live and to pass it on to younger generations.” Also, she hopes to eventually have the museum open more hours and to find other people who care about Mt. Horeb and its history and want to help to keep it going. “The museum is really a treasure. People put a lot of heart and soul in it and I hope more people come along with that same heart and soul.” Laurie’s list of community involvement includes K—5 PTO, former commission member for the Mt. Horeb Gators swim team, treasurer of Hands All Around Quilters, and costuming for the high school drama club. We welcome Laurie on board and look forward to her ideas and goals for the Museum. If anyone is interested in meeting Laurie or finding out how you can help out at the museum she can be contacted at the museum at 100 S. Second Street on Fridays from 10 am - 4 pm either by coming to the museum or calling there at 437-6486.