Stearns History Museum Archivist Stepping Away

(KNSI) – Stearns County’s official record keeper is stepping away after a 32-year career.

Steve Penick has overseen the Stearns History Museum’s documents in its research library and has been working to make the back room’s information more accessible since he became head archivist in 1994. Before that, he worked on the museum floor as a curator. Penick told KNSI News that he’s looking forward to a second phase in his life but won’t leave the past far behind. “History will still be a part of my life. There are a lot of side projects that I want to do. I would like to get into some writing stuff. I like to write. Maybe I’ll do some video stuff. The sky’s the limit.”

While he’s ready to move on, Penick says he will miss the people he works with and those who’ve used the archives over the years. “There’s been a lot of what I would call even friends now, regulars that come in. It’s a little bit of a ‘Cheers’ thing from the TV show where you meet some of these people and they get to become part of your life. It’s that part I will miss. I’ll miss a lot of the camaraderie of some of these people.”

Over the years, Penick has helped archive more than 100,000 records into an online catalog that people can access from home. The museum recently received a grant to hire help to get more records cataloged. He says most people use the archives to research their families.

Pennick’s last day will be February 17th. The public will have a chance to say thank you and goodbye a few days before he exits during a farewell potluck at the museum on February 14th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Museum Executive Director Carie Essig says the way people access the archives is changing, and they will hire two positions to help with that transition, a Public Program Librarian and a Head Archivist with more digital abilities. Essig says no one should notice they’re temporarily short-staffed. “The level of services isn’t going to change. The quality of service isn’t going to change. There will probably be an adjustment as we all try to suck all of the information out of Steve’s brain. But there’s only so much you can do in a short amount of time.”

In the meantime, the Museum’s Grant Wilson will take over as the interim archivist.

In 2019, around 3,000 people came to the library to research documents, and around 700 people asked for information by email, but those numbers have now flipped. In 2022, the library got nearly 5,000 email requests for information, and around 700 people came into the library to do research.

___