The Merrill Historical Society has announced plans to break ground and begin construction of the first phase of the Merrill History & Culture Center after receiving a $200,000 bequest from the estate of Laura Ebert.
The Historical Society launched the It’s About Time Capital Campaign in June 2010 to develop new museum facilities on North 3rd Street at the Prairie River in Merrill. Through January of 2012 the campaign had received pledges and donations from individuals and organizations amounting to $340,000.
Laura Ebert died in April 2011 and the estate presented the Historical Society with a check in December. At its January meeting, the Board of Directors established a project budget of $650,000 to finalize building plans and request bids for construction. Construction is expected to begin this spring.
A portion of the Ebert gift will be set aside in an endowment fund for the operation and maintenance of the new museum and existing Heritage Center facilities.