Elcho Historical Society Advances Plans for July 4th Grand Opening and Secures Facility Grant

Highlights from the Elcho Historical Society Meeting of April 9, 2026

The Elcho Historical Society is rapidly approaching its July 4th Grand Opening, reporting significant progress in facility restoration and community outreach. Highlights from the April meeting include the announcement of a new grant for the "Fish" House and the upcoming installation of a student-produced metal sign for the Society’s grounds.

Financial Health and Grant Success

Treasurer Greg Mejak provided a detailed breakdown of the Society’s finances, noting a healthy balance across its primary accounts. The operating account currently holds $29,210.32, while the building restoration account stands at $38,300.93.

On the funding front, the Society successfully secured a grant from the Remington Foundation specifically for the "Fish" House. Additional fundraising efforts are underway, with applications currently pending for the Sheldon Foundation and a Wisconsin Historical Society Mini-Grant intended for "Past Perfect" museum software.

Preparations for the July 4th Grand Opening

A significant portion of the meeting focused on the upcoming Grand Opening scheduled for July 4, 2026. The event is set to feature a diverse array of attractions, including:

• Vehicle Shows: Participants are confirmed for car, motorcycle, tractor, and boat displays.
• Volunteer Readiness: Volunteers have been issued schedules, name badges, and official Society t-shirts.
• Museum Displays: Display supplies are being ordered to finalize exhibits in time for the summer debut.

Facility Improvements and Infrastructure

The Society is overseeing several physical upgrades to its properties. Pat Patrick reported that a new metal sign, produced in collaboration with Travis Goeks and local students, is slated for installation after May 1 using cedar-treated lumber.

At the Grange Hall, restoration milestones include:

• Completion of the side door installation by Aaron Koszarek.
• Ongoing work on display cases, including painting and baseboard installation by Bear Wheeler, Debi Mejak, and Greg Mejak.
• The development of an informational kiosk, with digital assets being prepared for production in Green Bay.
• Security Upgrades: The Society is currently reviewing quotes for security cameras and researching Starlink internet services to support both security systems and the new kiosk.

Community Engagement and Upcoming Events

The Society’s digital presence continues to grow, with Facebook membership approaching 3,000 and consistent traffic to the official website. The upcoming fall newsletter, due for finalization by April 15, will feature a special article on the "Radiation Forest" by Tyler Schilling.

Key Upcoming Dates:

• April 10: Educational collaboration begins with the 4th-grade class regarding local logging and Kraftwood history.
• May 9: "All Things Water" event hosted by the Langlade County Water Association (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.).
• May 22: Brat Barn fundraiser (Volunteers are still needed; contact Greg Mejak to assist).
• July 1: Music in the Park.

New Business and Acquisitions

The Society is moving forward with the restoration of historic furniture, including the Opera House chairs and an ice cream table and chairs from "The Elcho" Ice Cream Shop. Recent artifact donations include two newsletters from 1921/1922 and a book on the Kraft Family donated by Charlotte and Bill Kraft.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.