Stearns History Museum Launches $300,000 Campaign for Collections Building

(KNSI) – The Stearns History Museum is turning 90 this year, and it’s asking the public for help protecting the thousands of objects that tell Stearns County’s story.

Submitted by Stearns History Museum

On Monday, the museum launched a $300,000 public fundraising campaign to upgrade its Collections Facility, the 18,000-square-foot building in Heritage Park. The location is home to more than 5,000 large artifacts, such as fire trucks, tractors, carriages, furniture and granite-working equipment, along with nearly 3.2 million archival items, including photos, blueprints and books.

The building’s climate control system, which keeps temperature and humidity steady to protect fragile items, has reached the end of its life. The metal roof is also wearing out after 40 years. And the facility’s lighting and security systems are outdated and aren’t connected to the main museum building, so staff can’t monitor the facility remotely.

After six months of quiet fundraising, the museum has raised $140,000. That’s enough to replace the climate control system before winter. The remaining $160,000 will go toward the new roof, a security system and lighting upgrades.

Founded in 1936, the museum collects and preserves the county’s history and shares it through exhibits, programs and its research library.

Gifts can be made by check, by donating appreciated stock, or through a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from a retirement account. Checks can be mailed to the Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301. The museum’s EIN is 41-1415033.

For more information or to donate, click here.

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