Letters to the editor

A MUSEUM OR A SOCIETY? It may sound like a strange question to some, but it is exactly what the Montgomery County Historical Society Board of Directors decided to ask itself. Many of you may have recently taken notice of the new book out, A Pictorial History of Red Oak, and there is even a new calendar available. These projects have been a huge success, but in recent meetings it also seems to have inspired the local Historical Society Board to question its purpose and the very mission statement of the Society. Hopefully, everyone has had the opportunity to see the new facility on the hill north of Red Oak. It is a beautiful building and although there may still be some finishing touches inside, which may give the impression of being a little empty or not quite done yet, it is felt that the building is full of potential. A museum is a repository for artifacts and display of such artifacts; a society by definition is dynamic and ever changing. This seems to be the question that historical society board members and others are asking themselves; do we wish the Center to be static and merely a warehouse, or should it become more? Should the Historical Society and the Center become more vibrant and more of a community resource? Should such a wonderful new building (the new History Center) merely set quietly on the hill with a wonderful view of Red Oak, or should it become a center for all of Montgomery County or possibly even for Southwest Iowa, availing itself to all? It has become a consensus that it would not only be nice, but moreover a better utilization of resources if all the communities and wonderful organizations in Montgomery County had more access to the History Center. A decision has been made to explore this question and to get community input. A special meeting will be held Jan. 22 at 4:00 in the afternoon at the History Center. If you would like to come, please do, but you will need to bring your opinions and suggestions. The Society would appreciate your input, so it can be used as a starting point and foundation for a new, more involved and responsive Historical Society. It is hoped this will be the starting point for a long road of change. The address is: Montgomery County Historical Society, 2700 N 4th Street, Red Oak, Iowa 51566 (just 1 block north of Highway 34) 712-623-2289 Dave McFarland Montgomery County Historical Society, Secretary A PULITZER PRIZE FOR RED OAK? Over the Christmas holiday while shopping at Mark Jackson’s for some hardware items, my wife purchased a copy of Images of America – Red Oak, a new book written by S.M. Senden, the Executive Director of our local museum. I had a chance to really digest and evaluate this work while flying down to Fort Campbell to visit our son Dan who is back from Iraq. I pride myself as somewhat of an expert when it comes to the history of Red Oak, and I was elated to discover that this book is indeed the most thorough and comprehensive record created to date! While the photographs are fascinating, it is the flavor of the past captured in the author’s narrative that really captures the reader. This book should be required reading for every resident of the city! Charles Emery Richards