Grants
Paint helps make museum “Minnesota Beautiful”Friday, April 19, 2013
FERGUS FALLS, MINN —It’s amazing what a gallon of paint can do to spruce up a room. Now imagine what 481 gallons can do for a region. That’s how much paint Minnesota-based Valspar Corporation is giving this year to west central Minnesota as part of its Minnesota Beautiful program.
Locally, 16 gallons of paint were awarded to the Prospect House Museum in Battle Lake to paint the exterior of several buildings on the property.
"Painting the outbuildings at the Prospect House Museum will add to the effectiveness of the walking tour and greatly enhance the beauty of the museum's extensive yard,” said Jay Johnson, CEO.
Ten organizations throughout the nine-county region will receive paints, coatings and sealants from Valspar this year. The 2013 grantees were selected based on the visual impact of the project, public benefit to the community, local volunteer participation and support, intended use of the building and benefit to the needy. Projects that normally qualify include, but are not limited to, historic buildings, senior citizen or handicapped facilities, community centers, public buildings and murals.
Minnesota Historical Society reaches 1,000 Legacy Grant milestone
St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Historical Society has awarded 64 new Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants of up to $7,000 each. Otter Tail County, Prospect House Museum, $4,221 StEPs Program Assessment: To hire a qualified professional to begin the American Association for State and Local History’s StEPs self-assessment program.
We received a $500 gift donation from The Lundeen Foundation of Fergus Falls, MN in December 2012. "We were happy we could make this 2012 gift to provide financial help to your 501(c)(3) charity."
Thirty six volunteers helped work the soda booth sponsored by the Prospect House & Civil War Museum during the 2012 run of the Renaissance Fest in August and September. They were extremely successful as the donation to the Museum based on sales amounted to $2,500.00. This amount will be used to cover operating expenses of the Museum.
Board members Bill Colehour, Andrea Everts and Brad Colehour working at the Renaissance Fest soda booth.
In July 2012 the Underwood Lions made a very generous donation of $500 to the Prospect House.
In June 2012 the Prospect House received a grant from the Battle Lake Area Community Fund in the amount of $885. This grant will be used to stage the 150 year Celebration of The Civil War on July 28 &29, 2012.
In May 2012 the Prospect House & Civil War Museum received a generous gift of $500 from the Sverdrup Mutual Insurance Agency of Underwood, MN.
On May 4,2012 the Prospect House & Civil War Museum received a $7,000 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society. This grant will be used for a National Register Nomination project. This project was approved by the Society's Executive Committee.
Archives Awards Grant To Civil War Museum
The following was announced on Archives.com:
Archives.com awarded the Prospect House Museum a $1,000 grant to fund a community event to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The Prospect House Museum, located Battle Lake, Minnesota, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of this historic house and its priceless Civil War memorabilia.
Founder Jay Johnson's great grandfather "Cap" Colehour built the Georgian-style mansion in the early 1880's. Several years ago, Johnson discovered hundreds of Civil War artifacts including "Cap's" Spencer rifle, and the sleeves of the uniform jacket "Cap" wore when he was shot. Since then he has dedicated countless hours to sharing these treasures with Battle Lake residents and visitors by conducting daily tours through the mansion and Civil War museum.
Johnson notes, "By sharing "Cap" Colehour's house, letters, memorabilia and collections, we open a door to history. Visitors who pass through that door achieve greater understanding and appreciation for an earlier and important time in the making of our nation. The Prospect House Museum supports my dream of preserving family treasurers and sharing "Cap's" Civil War story with others. The Archives.com grant helps us open that door to all, and makes the dream a reality."
On July 24, 2011 the Prospect House Museum will be hosting a Civil War Sesquicentennial celebration event to raise awareness throughout the community. The festivities will include cannons, music, refreshments, Civil War era dress, and tours of the Civil War collections. In anticipation of the event, Johnson remarks, "By helping us hold an event commemorating the beginning of the Civil War, we can bring the enormous sacrifice to mind that young me like 'Cap' Colehour made for our nation."
Archives is proud to help the Prospect House with their mission to preserve priceless Civil War artifacts, and to bring greater awareness to this important event in American history. Congratulations to the Prospect House and its representatives, including Abby and Jay Johnson, and the Board of Directors. Visit their website to learn more about the museum and their July event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Link to announcment
February 2011, the Battle Lake Area Community Fund awarded a $700 grant to the Prospect House Museum. The purpose of the grant was to help the organization with start-up costs. The money is for the fee to apply for 501(c)(3) tax exempt status with the Federal Government, an annual fee to host the Prospect Museum website, and money to go toward the purchase a plaque to designate the Prospect House as a member of the National Register of Historic Places.
The Battle Lake Area Community Fund is a fund established by local citizens to improve the quality of life in and around the community of Battle Lake and local school district #542. It is a part of the West Central Minnesota Imitative Fund (WCMIF), which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public foundation serving nine counties in west central Minnesota. The Battle Lake Area Community Fund raises money for its grant program through local fundraising efforts.