MENUAbout The Vernon County Historical Society
The Vernon County Historical Society is a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. Donations are tax-deductible.
The Vernon County Historical Society (VCHS) was formed in 1941. Interest in a museum for Vernon County artifacts dates back to 1922 when space was made in the Vernon County Normal School. In 1940, John (Jerry) J.M. Dawson invited people to his insurance office to organize what became the VCHS. The collections had to be relocated many times before finding a permanent home, once again, at the Vernon County Normal School. Read all about the History of the Vernon County Historical Society.
VCHS Mission Statement:
The Vernon County Historical Society preserves and promotes Vernon County history for the education and enjoyment of all.
VCHS Vision Statement:
We will strive to keep history relevant to all people today by connecting the past, present, and future stories of our county.
The Board
The first board, created in 1941, consisted of Jerry Dawson as president, W.D. Dyson as secretary, Hope Nuzum as treasurer, and Amy Roisland and H.S. Frederickson as trustees.
The composition of the board has changed over the years. Currently, the Board consists of the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and five Directors. The Directors are elected by the Society members during the November Member meeting, and installed at the December Board meeting. Directors are elected to three year terms, which are staggered. Principal officers - president, vice president, secretary, treasurer - are elected by and from the board of directors at the December meeting of the board. Officers serve a one year term.
The VCHS also has a Curator and an Assistant Curator. The current board consists of:
- Directors: Brian Ekern, Loann Frie, Leila Holen, Eddy Nix, Brad Steinmetz
President: Dian Krause
Vice President: Denise Kirchoff
Secretary: Kim Cade
Treasurer: Carl Lindquist
Executive Director / Curator: Kristen Parrott
Assistant Curator: Carol Krogan
The 2022 Board from left: Dian Krause, Denise Kirchoff, Carl Linquist,
Loann Frie, Kim Cade, Brad Steinmetz, Brian Ekern, Eddy Nix. Leila Holen not pictured.
Curator Kristen Parrott (left) and Assistant Curator Carol Krogan:
Kristen Parrott has been the VCHS curator since 2010, replacing retiring curator Judy Mathison. Carol Krogan has been assistant curator since 2000, working with newly appointed curator Judy Mathison.
Board Members from the Past
2017 Board members (l-r): Donna Knower, Marcia Andrew, Loann Frie, Loann Frie, Julie Malone, Ramona Skrede, Joanne Olson
2012 Board members (l-r): Mike Callan, Julie Malone, Gary Krause, Kathleen Sullivan, Marlowe Nelson
2009 curator Judy Mathison at Vernon County Fair
1995 Officers
1990 Board
Curator Judy Gates, image from June 7, 1990
1987 President Clara Overby
1983 Curator Connie Stephen (lt) and President Rhoda White
President Helen Hornby, image from June 25, 1976
1964 Officers
1953, May, Mrs. Clinton Nuzum, past president, and Calvin Marx, president, and John Jenkins, State Historical Society curator, in VCHS' new museum in hospital basement.