By Jessica Honigford
Community Post
MINSTER – The Minster Historical Society is preparing for its next major exhibit at its museum on Fourth Street.
Starting Sunday, March 28, the museum will be chock-full of displays in an exhibit titled “A Tribute to the 1950s and the Korean War Era.”

Minster Historical Society Member Mary Oldiges said it was fitting to do the 1950s and Korean War exhibit now.
“We did the World War II exhibit last year,” Oldiges said. “It only seems natural to have the Korean War Conflict this year.”
Oldiges says while many community members remember the1950s clearly, now is the time to preserve this era in Minster’s history.
“It’s not ancient history,” she said. “But it’s time to preserve those memories.  It was an ideal time in Minster to be living. It’s a good time to look back on. There are two generations today that know little about it. This exhibit will hopefully open the door for multi-generations to talk about the era.”
The museum is now accepting loaned items from the 1950s and Korean War era including artifacts regarding businesses, families, the war, letters or photos.
On top of planning exhibits for 2010, historical society members are busy moving into preservation mode at the museum.  The museum has received many items over the past year from photographs to books to copies of The Community Post.
Oldgies says the next step is for the historical society to preserve these pieces of Minster’s history.
Just the task of preserving over a century of newspapers will cost the museum a pretty penny.
“We found a place in Cincinnati that will do it, but it will cost upwards of $100,000,” Oldgies said.
Instead the museum is opting to raise money and purchase software and equipment designed to preserve newspapers, photos, maps and other historical documents.
The two computers, two 35 mm cameras and other equipment needed will cost $20,000 but will allow the museum to preserve items for years to come.
“We received $2,000 from Minster Service Club, which we are very grateful for,” Oldiges said.
Still, the museum is a long way from its $20,000 goal.
“We have some ideas for fundraisers including a Minster cook-book,” she said.
The cookbook will include both old and new recipes along with more than 70 historical photos.
Community members are encouraged to submit recipes to the historical society by April 15 to be included in the cook book.
Other new things at the museum include the purchase of ancestry.com International software. The program is free to use for members and there is a nominal fee for non-members.
Oldgies reminds the community that volunteers are always needed and welcome at the Minster Historical Society museum.