Museum looks to Study Hall future Nov. 20

Laura Lauters, who died Sept. 30 at the age of 101, was a 1923 graduate of "Old Central" High School, now the Plymouth County Historical Museum. Two years ago, she gave $10,000 to help with the renovation of the Museum's Study Hall. Sharing the moment with her were her daughter, Mary Adler of Fremont, Neb., and Dr. Wayne Marty, former president of the museum. The Study Hall's future will be the subject of a public meeting Nov. 20. [Click to enlarge]

Plymouth County residents who are interested in the future of the Study Hall in the Plymouth County Historical Museum are welcome to attend a meeting at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, at the museum.

Dr. Wayne Marty, former museum board president and volunteer renovation project manager, will present an update on the study hall and explain energy concerns.

The museum is seeking ideas from the public for the potential study hall project resoration.

Judy Bowman, administrator at the museum, said there is urgency in the air since the Le Mars High School all-school reunion is coming soon -- in July 2010.

In 2000, after the first-ever all-school reunion, the Le Mars Community School District Alumni Association presented the museum with $20,000 to get started on the Study Hall. That money was used for restoration of Study Hall windows and for help with installation of the elevator.

"To mark my 10th year as administrator for this wonderful museum, I am calling a meeting to discuss the future of the study hall," Bowman said. "With the all-school reunion for Le Mars High School coming in July of 2010, it seems now is the time to resume discussions for the use of that potentially grand room.

"During these tough economic times, we may not be inclined to tackle a major renovation project, but it seems if we don't keep moving forward, we'll end up moving backwards," Bowman said.

She added that many of the Le Mars High School alumni from the 1930s, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s will gather for the reunion in approximately 20 months.

"These are the alumni who have a passion for the old study hall," Bowman said.

Laura Lauters, whose memorial service was in the museum's "Old Central" Gym Oct. 4, earlier had led support of the study hall project. Recent memorial gifts for Lauters, a charter board member of the museum, will go toward the Study Hall Project.

"We would like to consider carrying out Laura's wishes and those of other alumni, but we are just in the talking stages now. The Nov. 20 meeting will give us an opportunity to gather more information and ideas," Bowman said.

Representatives of the alumni association will be in attendance at the meeting.

Anyone with questions about the Nov. 20 meeting may contact the museum at (712)-546-7002.