Topic of Historical Society program Sept. 6
~by Chuck Offenburger for the Greene County Historical Society
The Greene County Historical Society will meet Friday, Sept. 6, at historic St. Patrick Catholic Church, located about five miles west of Churdan.
Dale Hanaman of Rippey, the former Historical Society president, and Roger Aegerter of Jefferson, the group’s executive director, have been working on new enhancements for 21 of the historical markers long ago placed around the county. They will give a report on their work.
The project has been funded with a donation from the estate of the late James H. Andrew of Jefferson, a major benefactor of the Historical Society. When the markers were originally placed around the county, starting in about 1976, Andrew paid most of the costs and led the group making the markers and doing the installations. Those original markers have plaques on them that tell the stories of what is notable about each location.
The new enhancements are basically markers that will stand tall and visible, so that motorists are going to be able to more easily recognize where the historical markers are available. More of them may be enhanced later if additional funds become available. They’ve been placed with help from the Greene County secondary roads department.
“As I have done some research on the historical markers, I have read some interesting back stories on some of the locations and people that made Greene County what it is today,” said Aegerter. “For example, did you know there was a ‘Hatfield vs. McCoy’ family feud about two of the grist-flour mills west of Jefferson on the Raccoon River?”
There will be lunch served at 12 noon, $8 for Historical Society members and $10 for others who want to enjoy the meal. Members should RSVP to their community contacts by Tuesday evening, Sept. 3, and non-members who want to come for the lunch should RSVP by calling program director Margaret Hamilton at 515-386-4408.
The program at 12:45 pm is free and the public is invited.
