The Manitowoc County Historical Society held their 120th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 11 at Branch Station in Branch. The 2025 Annual Meeting event featured a business meeting, election of new Directors, and recognition of the organization's outstanding volunteers.
MCHS’ Education Coordinator, Natalie Stankovic, welcomed the group to Branch for the meeting. Living History Program Coordinator, Hannah Harvey, shared the importance of the power of historical spaces and how connections can be made from our past. Member and Volunteer Charlie Bauer shared a prayer before lunch.
Engagement Manager Devinne Fackelman welcomed the group after lunch and presented a series of Museum and Member Milestones, giving recognition to the museum members who have been with the museum for many years. Celebrating milestones were: 2 years – Aggie Schmitz; 10 years – Stan and Jennifer Johnson, Dennis Tienor; 15 years – Lucy DeWein and Don and Cheryl Domrath; 20 years – Geoff and Lisa Alfsen, Don and Kris Cisler. The longest member in attendance was Dorothy Zarnoth, who became a member in 1986, 40 years ago.
President Jennifer Johnson welcomed all guests in attendance and shared her enthusiasm for all that was accomplished in 2025.
The 120th Annual Business Meeting of the Manitowoc County Historical Society was called to order at 12:40 pm by President Jennifer Johnson. Members of the Board of Directors were introduced: Jennifer Johnson, President , Ryan Zunker, Incoming Present, Megan Bruckschen, Incoming Vice President, Matt Neu, Treasurer, Mike Johnson, Incoming Secretary, Dennis Tienor, Emily Freitag, and Renee Mahloch.
Minutes of the Annual 2024 Meeting held on March 13, 2024 were reviewed. A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the minutes as presented.
Amy Meyer, Executive Director summarized the Treasurer’s Report on behalf of Matt Neu, Treasurer. Membership dues continue to be a reliable source of support for the museum with over $24,000 in the past year, which is up about 13% from last year. Donations offset the costs of our youth programs, summer camps, and workshops. Donations – unrestricted – in 2025 totaled $41,018. Donations – restricted totaled $368,658. The majority of these gifts were given to the Vetting Fund, Nennig Dance Pavilion, and the Meeme House project.
Expenses are minimal compared to the scope of what the museum tackles each year. Much of the repairs to the historic structures are made possible by restricted donations to the site’s Vetting Fund. 2025 Projects included: replacement of electrical line from the Shadyside School utility box to the box on the back of the Newton State Bank ($8,600); new holding tank at the Vetting House ($9,260); Site-wide security system install ($12,943); and the Nennig Dance Pavilion project is officially complete ($249,360). A construction loan was taken out to finish the restoration of the Meeme House. About $300,000 is still needed to make the project debt-free.
Key financials were shared in the program handout. A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the treasurer’s report as presented.
State of the Society was given by Executive Director Amy Meyer. Areas of focus in 2025 were: living history, archives, building restoration, education, and strengthening our core mission. The year started off with an updated branding effort. The new branding effort, complete with logo options, images, and other graphics, gives visual recognition to our organization and site.
Tours were incorporated within some of our favorite programs including our Civil War lantern tour and Christmas Wassail Tour. Attendance revenue increased by over 5%, generating more than $20,000. Historic skills were highlighted through the third annual Maker’s Market, Create-Connect Series, and our monthly Community Craft Night series - which had 126 attendees. Over 200 reenactors joined us for Civil War Remembered, largest reenactment in the state.
We have successfully converted our collections data to the CatalogIt digital collections management system. We are still in the process of uploading more photographs to the online collection so be sure to check back frequently for new additions. Research volunteers completed 88 hours of research services for requests from around the globe. The first of many thousands of images from the Herald Times Reporter negative collection have been processed—and some are even available for online viewing through Catalogit! 326 items were accessioned into our permanent collection.
The Meeme House officially opened after a 12 year restoration journey! 2025 efforts included volunteer forces from Valders High tech ed and Chamber Jr Leadership. This year started with a flurry of activity as the Meeme House prepared for its eagerly awaited grand opening for the start of our 2025 main season. The months before the April 27 grand opening were full of fundraising, research, and hard work, but the effort paid off. The doors to our Meeme House are now open! To date, $1,299,912 has been raised towards the $1.5 million project. A construction loan allowed for this $1.5 million project to be completed. Donations are strongly needed to make this project debt-free. In October, we cut the grand re-opening ribbon on the Nennig Dance Pavilion. This restoration effort entailed a full structural rebuild of the historic space. This project would not have been possible without the knowledge and support of the Ruth St John and John Dunham West Foundation, A.C.E. Building Service, Red Maple Sales, and Legacy Architecture. The Nennig Dance Pavilion project cost $249,360.
There was a new Vetting House holding tank installed, along with a new electrical line from Shadyside school to the Newton state bank. Our heirloom garden program was rejuvenated with a space outside the Carsten House (former Saloon
building), albeit with a wet and weedy start. Much research was completed on what early gardens would be like.
Over $338,920 was raised to support our Vetting Fund (including the Meeme House).
Education: There was an increase of more than 38% in school tours! Field trips and youth programs had over 3,600 attendees. Over 300 students joined us for Civil War school day. Our summer intern, Abbey, was an integral part in our season. In addition to helping with daily operations and youth programs, Abbey also created a project on the history of law in Manitowoc County. You can find a copy of her work in our Law Office building.
Our SPARK! Memory Care series held 10 dedicated sessions for a total of 68 attendees. 124 Walking tour attendees were able to experience our local history with community tours. A variety of access days were held to remove financial barriers for visiting our Museum and Pinecrest Village. There were 444 attendees through 8 free/access days. Access admissions and free library passes continue to be well used with almost 100 access users in 2025. Restricted funds assist with specific projects including building needs, education initiatives, or special opportunities.
A new digital guide is available for free through Bloomberg Connects! Our guide takes you behind the scenes at the Manitowoc County Historical Society with exclusive multimedia perspectives from interpreters, curators, and more.
A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the director’s report as presented.
President Jennifer Johnson opened the nominations for the three positions up for election. Names were presented in nomination: Dennis Tienor, candidate for a second term; Emily Freitag, candidate for a first term; and Renee Mahloch, candidate for a first term. The call for nominations from the floor was made three times. There being no further nominees, a motion was made to cast a unanimous vote for the two candidates; motion seconded and carried.
Outgoing Board Member Jennifer Johnson was recognized for her work over the past 2 terms.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the business portion of the meeting at 1:18 PM.
The Presentation of the History Maker Awards followed the business meeting.
5,005 hours of service were shared in 2025. Volunteers with over 100 hours of service in 2025 were recognized: Aggie Schmitz, 217 hours; Barbara Svendsen, 105 hours; Bill Pauwels, 445 hours; Dan Juchniewich, 275 hours; Diane Leonhard, 117 hours; Emmy Rebitz, 104 hours; Eugene Durben, 238 hours; George Baldwin, 243 hours; Greg Peroutka, 160 hours; Jim Day, 107 hours; Jim Steuer, 140 hours; John Bohlin, 356 hours; Lisa Alfsen, 144 hours; Mark Stecker, 103 hours; Mike Duescher, 300 hours; Phil Groll, 300 hours; Randy Meyer, 416 hours; Robert Coenen, 103 hours; and Rob Harvey, 108 hours.
The Square Nail Volunteer of the Year Award was given to site blacksmiths Eugene Durben and George Baldwin for all their efforts to bring to life the blacksmith trade.
The Annual Meeting concluded with a fundraiser raffle that raised over $4,000 for the Manitowoc County Historical Society's mission. |
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