Waterloo Area Historical Society’s Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Social

by Arlene Kaiser

May 19 marked the occasion of the annual WAHS Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Social, held at the museum. The long title of the event holds great meaning because, if not for volunteers, the Waterloo Area Historical Society would be unable to function or exist. Like all good community activities there is a need for volunteer help. Waterloo Farm and Dewey School Museums is no different.

The Annual Meeting was first established as a means of keeping the membership informed. Then the Board of Directors and committee chairs added an appreciation dinner as a way of expressing gratitude to volunteers.

The Saturday event began with Vice President Cathy Gillem conducting a short meeting with financial and committee reports showing the health and wellness of the society.

Bill Christen’s presentation of the Interurban Railroad that went from Chelsea (the site of the now Perky Pantry) to downtown Ann Arbor, Huron St., in 24 minutes for a dime, proved informative and interesting. Maps showed many guests that they had lived or do live where the interurban rails once existed. Photos, articles and personal letters brought to life the tragic interurban freight car and passenger car head-on crash of 1918.

William Shakespeare wrote, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” WAHS is grateful to the museum volunteers who find purpose in passing along the history of our forefathers to adults and children who visit WAHS events, weekend tours and Education Program School Tours.