Marty Lamoureux, Boone County Historical Society, June 10, 2026

On our program today, we are going to be talking about Boone County Historical Society, Marty LaMaurie, board member, our guest on our program today. Marty, thanks for taking time to visit with us today. Well, thanks for having us on your program. Always enjoy letting everybody know what's going on at the History Center. And maybe if you haven't listened before, you'd spark and say, hey, I'd like to be a part of that. I'd like to volunteer. I think I'd like to become a member. All those things, we can, and we can help you get through all of the above, so. Very good, very good. I was going to say, obviously, the big thing that already happened here in the month of June, well, one of the big things, we did have the, the Jordan Tornado, what, Saturday scholar presentation, that was, you had a great turnout. We did. We had 63 in attendance, which we were really excited about. And everyone there seemed to enjoy the presentation. Lots of knowledge and lots of stories around the room. We had the presenters, the panel of Fran Frazier, Veronica McGlynn, Randy Mitchell, Bob Flynn, Lanie Lincoln, and I hope I'm not Carl Jungler. So that was our speaker's panel. That was the group that Jeannie had worked with over, I'm not sure what month she started in, but this was a project. Let's put it that way. It was months in the planning and the making and also just to get photos organized and scrapbooks organized and things scanned and stories told. It was a lot of work to get together what turned into a little over an hour long presentation. But I think my favorite part is the personalization of it with having the speaker's panel. Oh, and that's one thing. Yeah, they had their stories, didn't they, Bob? They sure did. They sure did. Well, you could have been on that too. Yes, I know. I had a story too. I won't bore you with all that. But I think I I think I've told it before. Sure. Well, we know that. And again, that's one of those. It wasn't the actual anniversary of the date, but due to the speaker's opportunity, we, you know, you worked with them and got flexible. It was close. It's close. Right. It was right. The actual date is the 13th. So that would have been with, you know, we had hoped to be able to do it then, but it didn't make any difference. So we were excited. And it's kind of like we're calling it Saturday with the scholar type of thing. But it's really also it's 50th anniversary event that we are touching upon this year. It seems as though because this is the 50th anniversary of the tornado, it will be at the CIC football championship. It will be for the history center. Actually, are we 50th or 60th? I think you're 60th. Yeah, we are. So it's kind of anniversary events, but we're kind of incorporating, you know, the Saturday with the scholars and with that too. So, so we've got, we've got a lot of those going on. We know the library is doing 125, 120, 125th year today, this year. Right. And McCose Parks got one too. Yeah, right. I've chatted with one of the park board members about, you know, I know you've got your anniversary coming up. I think theirs is 100 years. And I'm not sure what month it is for sure. And also with the library, we're trying to partner with the library as much as we can. They're the ones who are hosting, obviously, and organizing it with the, you know, the, on their timeline every month, having something with the journaling. It's kind of an interesting concept. And we did that with the, for the first kickoff with the downtown Boone building. Yeah, Charles, Charles. Yeah, that was very, very, that was well attended. Also, I think there was 45 people there that night, I think, when I counted belly buttons for that. Charles Irwin, of course, is always a good draw. Everybody knows he's going to be interesting and entertaining. And so that was, that was good. I think that, I can't remember if that had happened when we met last time or not. I think it was, I think it was after, well, it seems like it was after it was the end of May. It was the end of May. Yeah, end of May. Yeah, right. It was, it was the 20th. You're exactly right. May 20th is when that event was. So we kind of had two kind of big things. Really, all we did was have the, have the, well, we did the room, provided the room, the library, did all the sign up, and then Genie and worked with Charles, you know, as far as getting the programming and any, any equipment and information that he needed. So, but that was, that was really interesting. It's always fun if you're sitting around, especially with anybody who's, who's old Boone people like me, it's like, well, what business is in this building? And, but this was, this presentation went back to the, to even before me. So back into the 1800s of where when Boone was initially built up. So I, I learned quite a bit. It was very interesting. And it is amazing because I know you guys have a lot of photos and a lot of things like that. But unless people come in and actually take a look at what's there, it's hard to believe you, oh, that building looks like this now. And, you know, yeah. I know. Yeah. Amazing. Or relocated or, you know, if this building had multiple, you know, the multiple businesses in it and how things have changed and what, what, what buildings were destroyed in a lot of initial buildings were destroyed by fire. It was, you know, it was, yeah. Well, you had your meeting this week. Again, the board, the board pushed back their meeting a week. I don't know. Maybe the election was involved there or not. No, actually, it really wasn't for, actually for us, it wasn't involved for, for our renters, it was because it was a move date because they, we have renters that are on the first, at the same time we're there. We use our research room, but no, it was actually people on vacation and not available. So we just moved to the day. We're a pretty flexible group, which is nice. And when it gets to be summertime, you get people on vacation and I'm out and about. So yeah, we met last night. We were able to have all but one board member there. And we did receive, we, we apply for that, um, um, hotel, motel, tax, through the city. And then we also apply for funds through the county. And we've been lucky, are blessed, obviously use the term, not lucky thing. And thankful every year that we have received those funds on a regular basis. This year we did receive a letter from the city stating that we were not going to be afforded those funds. So we're going to do just find a little bit more of just to the question as to the why the understanding is apparently from the state level that, uh, if I understand correctly, so, and I'm not, this is not written in blood by me. This is my understanding of it. Um, is that, um, there's regulations that you have to be a city entity to receive those particular funds. And we are not a city entity. We're independent. So yeah, I think it has to do with the, uh, uh, building, uh, using it for buildings and stuff like that. And you were focusing on elevator repairs and things like that. So, um, yeah, I think, well, that wasn't, that was the community one. This one, I don't think the motel, I'm not sure about what, what we focused on with the letter to the, for the motel hotel tax. But we'll continue to pursue that and, and we'll, we'll carry on camping if we, if we aren't a lot, a lot of anything. And, um, it's more just the understanding of their reasoning behind the why, since it's been kind of something and we should never count your chickens before they hatch, right? Yeah. Okay. Anyway, um, Treasurer's report, um, we didn't do, we do our full report quarterly. So that'll be next month. Um, we have a CD that, um, we will be just rolling over the interest this month in. So we're feeling very stable for, for daily operation. Uh, we're still pursuing looking at, um, you know, trying to make sure that we're good stewards and, um, considering for future items. And again, like you said, the elevator is, um, is still on its current, it's been, it's been maintained by the, uh, the elevator company. It's, it's still functioning, but it's, it's, it's going to need replaced. Yeah. We know, we know it's hit its end of life here pretty much. That's right. That's right. Um, okay. So old business, um, we now are a member of the group of shops on story and Harry Bonk, one of our, um, board members has been, um, attending those meetings. So it's good to have the, um, interaction and discussion, um, with other, uh, downtown, even though we don't have a heavy retail presence, we have a heavy downtown presence. Um, so, um, we, um, are glad to be a part of them. Um, we had had an inquiry from, um, a vendor in Des Moines, uh, about, um, utilizing space, um, uh, at the outside desk center for, um, a food truck for during rag bride. We haven't heard any more correspondence back from that individual. So we're not planning on that activity. Um, computers, um, we did get, um, uh, to, uh, I can't remember if they were new or refurbished laptops and we're still continuing to look at what, uh, to optimize our, uh, technology. We've had a little challenges with office 365 and Microsoft because we were on a program that was apparently, uh, of no cost to a nonprofit, but now they're, we're having trouble with getting it to work and they're saying we need to pay our bills. So sometimes when you work with Microsoft, it's like, okay, it's a little complicated. So we'll get that taken care of. And we still feel like we could use, um, two laptops and two desktops and one of the board members may have access to some used ones. So we just have to make sure we have, um, plenty of, uh, terabytes of storage because we scan so many photos. Um, I have to make sure on that. So just keep on top of, um, our technology and also, so we have, like in the researcher and we have the computer for people to come in and use, um, landscaping. Um, we, uh, are, um, going to, we have a phase two, um, we are going to wait for fall now that it's kind of gotten away from us to do some of the planting, but we are going to be putting in, we have a member who is donating trees in memory of their, uh, of a, uh, family member. And so there'll be a couple of Korean maples. They're a small tree that'll be on the south side and be a part of our landscaping there. And then a couple of autumn blaze on the north side of the building. So, um, we are lucky to have a board member that also is a landscaper. And so, um, we'll get those planted and then, um, um, we'll have, um, we, you know, work on keeping everything watered and then we'll wait for the rest of, around the building planting, um, for the fall. So, um, but we just, we're happy with, pretty happy with phase one. It's kind of plain, but at least it's very, it looks so much better. It's all cleaned up. And right now, if you're down there, I love Holly Hawks and Asiatic Lilies and they're in bloom down by the, by the back door and they're really pretty. So.

Okay. Yeah, that is landscaping. That's all old business. Um, new business, I guess we already really discussed the Jordan tornado. Um, and, um, uh, the only other thing is to let you know, we do have the display still up on the first floor. So even though the actual presentation is over with, um, that, uh, the display with all the poster boards and scrapbooks and, um, videos, um, and information will be on display into July. So, um, if you missed the Saturday with the scholar, you can still come and, um, enjoy, um, seeing a lot of the information.

Yep. Still have those there. Yeah. Yeah. Um, let's see. And, um, you know, as far as, uh, any other new business, um, we in the past have had some paranormal, um, investigations. And, um, our, we have kind of held off on doing some of that for, um, several reasons. Part of it, um, uh, just is, um, if they're unknown entities and we don't really want, um, live video streaming, that type of thing. We don't really have good guidelines, um, secured completely. But, um, actually one of our board members, um, has a very big interest in this and he actually has a team. So we're going to pilot trying again to allow having a team in the building. Um, so, um, that doesn't mean we're opening it up to everybody else because we have declined from a couple other, um, entities. I think we're more comfortable with this because it's a known team person who's running it, but we'll see how it goes. And if we feel comfortable, the other thing is, is that if another group comes, a board member has to, has to be present and stay up all night. I'm not good at that anymore. So anyway, but I guess it's a concept that a fair amount of people have some interest in. Um, but that, um, there's a flip side, those who are, you know, kind of against all that. So you just, you don't want to, you don't want to, um, uh, you kind of have to hit the balance with that. Yeah. Yeah. Um, otherwise, let's see, um, no, uh, first committee reports, um, no, uh, update on anything with our collections. They still just continue to, um, sort through the materials up on third floor. As, as you know, when you visit, um, you're allowed on the, down in the community room, first floor and second floor, but we don't allow, um, um, other than when we do have the paranormal groups, we do allow them up onto the third floor, but as far as regular visitors don't ever, don't ever see that part of the building. So, um, Boone Main Street update, Jeannie Wipke attends these, um, meetings and, um, keeps us updated on that. Um, we have a stage down in the basement, um, that, um, it, we really, frankly, do not use. We just basically have to store it down there, but, uh, the, uh, this group may be interested in the use of it, a shared use of it, and they may have a spot to store it, but we need to get it set up and make sure it's all intact and safe, and then they can decide if it's something they really want to use or not. Sure. Um, so that's kind of, um, again, we really work hard to, um, be part of the community and be a community entity. Um, um, and so it's good that we have representation on things like shops on story and, uh, the Boone Main Street area and that type of thing. Um, let's see exhibits. We kind of already talked about that to a certain extent with, uh, the next big event, um, as far as, as presentation will be, uh, the, in September 25th and 26th down, uh, for the CIC football championship. I think I have those dates right. It's a Friday, set up on a Friday in the event on Saturday. Um, and so we're looking forward to that. Also, I'm not sure with the library, they're doing Kate Shelley in September sometime. I know that, um, I had chatted with him and think it's Tammy about that. Yeah. What we could do to provide information for that as well as also the railroad, I think, was going to be involved in that, too. But I think the event is actually down at the Z-Boat, so in September. Um, the publications, uh, the next publications for TrailTales will be, um, to Jordan Tornado. Surprise, surprise. Uh, okay. Uh, maintenance, uh, let's see. We had to do a little maintaining on our toilets. We had a big jump in our water belt. Guess what? We got down to the culprit. It was the toilet. So, uh, anyway, but we got that fixed and taken care of. Um, membership, um, we still continue to have people, um, do memberships. We had got, had, uh, I think I had two new members last week. So excited for that. Uh, I'll remind you again, I do every time I'm on, it's $30 for an individual membership, 45 for a family membership, $80 for a business membership or business or organization. Um, your benefit, um, to, um, being a member is free admission. You get the two publications of the TrailTales and then also you get a discount on rental of the community around. So, uh, those are the things that we can do and you get to support, um, maintaining the history and heritage of the, of Boone County. So, and, and you don't, I mean, you know, this is a, people will ask, okay, well the year's half over, you do it on a calendar year basis, but you really don't pro rate. No, no, typically if someone is going to join in, let's say November, we will just put that to the next year for their membership. And then, you know, if, if they're coming in to visit in, in the next month or a little bit lenient about that, it was going to be kind of painful to try and pro rate, like put it to half price. We didn't want to say, oh yeah, wait till half price, you can all join then, um, in, in July, instead of renewing in January, you never know. And it's, we feel like it's a reasonable amount to begin with for an individual, um, you know, but we also respect and understand that people are in budgets and there's multiple places to be able to be members and to give donations. So, we are appreciative of anything, even if it's a dollar. So, but you do not have to be a member to volunteer. That is correct. And also, what else? Vice versa. If you're a member, you don't have to volunteer. Yes. You're not required to. We just want people that are willing, right? Right. And we have really, we have, we have really, this year has been a very good year for recruiting with volunteers. We have some excellent volunteers, people that, um, do just do a great job. And also it's, um, it's one thing I have to say about our board, too, is, it's a cohesive working group, which is, is really nice because, um, in the, um, sometimes on boards that isn't always the case, um, or with organizations. So, um, that makes it, uh, easier to navigate when you don't have, um, drama or trauma, as I will say. Um, I think back to exhibits, one other thing besides, um, the McCote, the ones we talked about, well, also, um, Puffer Billy 50 year, we've kind of forgot to mention that'll be coming up. Oh, yeah. Um, and then also looking forward into 2027, a big project that we're going to be looking into is, um, the Speedway and the history of that, um, which that's a, you know, been an entity, um, in the community for a long period of time. And, um, so we have some really kind of fun ideas already brewing with some community members, um, that Jeannie's already been in touch with. She's always got the, got the vision out there for that ahead for those exhibits. So, all right. Um, let's see, community room, again, we're still continuing to do our rental on that. Um, and we still have our little, our little gift shop. We are real robust, but there's a few items, um, in there that people, um, we sold some items on Saturday, um, that people were interested in. Um, and Kate Shelley, like I said, we aren't going to do anything as far as, um, we still have the future plans, um, with that. But since we're going to be doing the presentation with the library down there, where the building is not going to be, have anything done to the building prior to September because of that, other than removing the items that we have that we want that are in it. Um, and then we'll, uh, proceed after that. So, um, then July 6th is the anniversary with Kate Shelley. So, um, we kind of like, like, like to look at that and, um, still being maintained down there as far as mowing and spraying and that type of thing. And I think last time I mentioned that I have a couple of new committee members with me, that when we get ready to, to go for it, that, um, we've got some hands on deck. So I'm excited about that. Um, we still, um, like I said, the volunteers, we, we've been, uh, grateful for that. Grants, we're still looking into that. And I think each time I also say, if there's anybody out there who has, um, expertise and or interesting grant writing, we would be, we would welcome your skills package. Um, so, um, I think that, that's it that I, from the meeting at least last night. So. All right. Very plenty going on. So I'm going to be busy. Uh, next, next thing up, what was it again? What do you, will be next that you're looking at? So we did the next actual event will be in, uh, will be in September with a football championship. So right now that'll be the next actual big thing. We don't have any other Saturdays at the scholar planned at this time unless something comes up short notice, um, in July and August. We often find a lot of people are on vacation and going and going. So it's, um, yeah, we usually try to set a few of those in early and then usually into the fall. So. Okay. All right. So plenty going on now. I got a look at July here because I'm wondering about your meeting in July. Yeah. It'll be after, it'll be after the four. It'd be after the four. I think is that right? Yeah. That looks like. I haven't looked at the calendar yet. Yeah. That'll be after the four. So we'll have an opportunity to visit with you then and, uh, talk about what's coming up as we get into the fair and everything else going on. Right. Right. As always, I appreciate you taking time to visit with us, get us updated on what's going on. Marty, thanks so much and we'll visit with you again next time. Sounds great. Remember, we're open Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 10 to two and also by appointment if needed. Marty LaMaurie, board member again, Boone County Historical Society.