Recently acquired T.B. Scott Mansion artifacts on display for the first time
TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
The Merrill Historical Society held its Annual Meeting at the Merrill History & Culture Center on E. Third St. on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 3, followed by an Open House at the Merrill History & Culture Center to showcase the newly completed preservation storage addition to house collections, as well as allow visitors to go through the Museum.
The Annual Meeting was brief, according to attendees, and included a typical slate of events: approving Minutes, the Treasurer’s Report, Election of Board Members for 2022-2025, and then an update on the Livingston Collection Center (formerly known as the American Legion building).
“The Treasurer’s Report stated the Society is still waiting for a few things to be completed by Huotari Construction so the final cost of the addition is not yet complete,” Patricia Burg said. “The Society is very close to the budget numbers for 2021.”
Patricia Burg, Tom Hayden, Rosalyn Ponko, and Harry Wallace were all re-elected to the Board for another three-year term.
With regard to the Livingston Collection Center, Burg reported the Society has officially vacated the property and turned the keys over to the City of Merrill according to the covenant that was in place. The Board of Directors has requested the City consider some reimbursement to the Society for their purchase and care of the building over the past 20 plus years when the building sells, Burg said.
Historical Society Board President Bea Lebal took a moment to reflect on the loss this year of two Board Members – David Finanger (a Director Emeritus), and Marie Marrier, a 10-year Board Member – and to honor them and their contributions to the Society.
During the Open House, Burg estimated about 35 people went through the Museum and the completed addition.
Donated and purchased items from the T.B. Scott Mansion were on display for the first time, Burg said, including one of the small roofs that hung over the back door of the Mansion and also “the magnificent entryway fireplace, the stained glass window from the dining room, fretwork from the living room, and several examples of the fireplace tile from 1897.”
“In the storage area we featured a chandelier from the Badger Hotel, many advertising items from local stores, logging tools, china, musical instruments, pharmacy items, fire and police department, and early clothing, including corsets, and hats,” she said.
Burg said “comments from those who attended were overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic about both the Museum and the new storage area.”
“We again would like to thank the many donors and foundations who made it possible for us to realize climate-controlled and secure storage for our precious artifacts,” she added. The new completed addition is the reason the Historical Society no longer requires the use of the Livingston Building.
The Merrill Historical Society will be selling fireplace tiles from the entryway T.B. Scott Mansion fireplace, Burg added. Each tile will be framed to see both the tile and the engraving of the tile maker, she said. Cost is $20 each, and Historical Society Members will receive a $5 discount. A limited number of tiles are available. For reservations, call the Merrill Historical Society at 715.536.5652 or visit the website at: www.merrillhistory.org.
The Merrill Historical Society is a private nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation. Their mission is to educate the public about Merrill’s heritage using the unique historical and cultural resources they collect and preserve.