By Jessica Honigford
Community Post
MINSTER – On Thursday Steve Eiting, treasurer of the Minster Community Fund and Phyllis Baumer, president of the Minster Community Fund, met with the Minster Historical Society to present a check for $1,000 to help with the renovation project at the new site of the Historical Society Museum next to the police station.

Curently the Historical Society is located on the second floor of the Stallo Memorial Library.
“It's the history of the town,” Tony Frierott, of the Historical Society said.  “Having the ability to display it is paramount to getting the community involved.”
Frierott and Mary Oldiges, also of the Historical Society, believe the new location will provide the Historical Society with that ability.  Its downtown location along with its larger capacity for artifacts and more accessible displays will allow community members to enjoy the village's history.
Right now Oldiges estimates the building renovation is at the halfway mark.  She and Oldiges say a realistic time line for the new museum to be open to the public will be at the end of October or the beginning of November.
Oldiges and Frierott said they need to thank the community for the volunteer labor and private and business donations.  The Historical Society's way of saying thank you to the community will be displayed at the museum itself for all to see.
A benefactor's tree will be painted on the entry foyer to the museum so the community can remember all the volunteers and private donors it took to get the project up and running.
Among those donors listed will be the Minster Community Fund.  Founded in 1994, the Community Fund, is a non-profit organization that looks to give back to the residents of the Minster School District.  It is governed by members from the Minster Civic Association, the Minster Board of Education, the Jackson Township Trustees, the Minster Village Council and the Minster Community Improvement Corporation.  The Community Fund's intent is to to emphasize community improvements in civic projects, education and youth, recreation, health and social services, conservation and environment, and arts and humanities.
While the donation from the Community Fund will be put to good use, the Historical Society is still accepting private donations and the donation of artifacts to help continue the museum's growth.
“This really has been meant to happen,” Oldiges said.  “Because everyone I've asked has said yes.”
To donate, contact the Minster Historical Society, P.O. Box 51 Minster, OH 45865.  To learn more about the Historical Society and other Auglaize County historical societies go to www.auglaizecountyhistory.org.