Tecumseh Area Historical Society hoping for more volunteers in 2015

The Tecumseh Area Historical Society (TAHS) closed its museum doors for a winter break on Saturday, Dec. 20. Until the spring opening on April 4, volunteers will be working hard to change displays and renovate any trouble spots inside and outside the building. During the winter months the museum is open only by appointment.In spring 2014, a new HVAC system was installed, keeping the building cool all summer and warm in the winter months. Another change this year was the historical society becoming part of the Lenawee Community Foundation. The goal is to support the Foundation with documentation of cultural and educational growth in the community.Partnerships with Promenade Tecumseh and Tecumseh District Library give TAHS a chance to share the history of the Tecumseh area with different groups of people in different venues. More activity-based programs are in the planning stages for 2015.The historical society reprinted “Beyond the Boulevard” by local author Diane E. Proctor, and has copies for sale in the museum gift shop. Also available are other books on Tecumseh and southeastern Michigan cities by Arcadia Books.President Dian Rentschler is pleased with the direction the historical society is taking. She would like to see the museum be open more hours in 2015 and rotate exhibits regularly.The key to accomplish many of the society’s tasks requires the one thing TAHS is lacking — volunteers. “We need more new people,” said Rentschler. “We really need to be open three days a week, but staffing is a problem.”The historical society needs more than just help from historians. From archiving, to building and computer repairs, there is work to be done, inside the building and out.The board is also in need of officers for 2015, including a new president, second vice president, treasurer, and back-up treasurer. The board and volunteers are two different aspects of TAHS, according to Rentschler.“We are looking for volunteers to help staff the museum on Saturdays between April and December,” Rentschler said. “We are open between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturdays are divided into two shifts, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1 p.m. until 3:30. Duties include opening and closing the museum, greeting visitors, selling in the gift shop, and answering the phone.”Volunteer Aurora Momcilovich is one of the newer volunteers for Tecumseh Area Historical Society, helping out wherever she can. Her work has made a big difference in the museum, acording to Rentschler.“Aurora is great with tours,” said Rentschler. “She’s just marvelous.”The growth of the museum collection is exciting to the board. The main floor has materials available for research of Tecumseh homes and families. Tecumseh’s historical events are documented at the museum, from the more recent all the way back to lives of original Native American settlers.Momcilovich helps people research family and friends and houses from the information and photos found in Tecumseh Area Historical Society archives. The museum has city directories and school yearbooks for research.“We’re also keeping a file of obituatries,” Rentschler said.Visitors bring their own information to share with the society. “Their stories are very interesting,” said Rentschler. “Everybody raves about Tecumseh.”Local industry through the last century is also well documented with photos, historical items, and documents. Tecumseh Area Historical Society has a good collection of Civil War memorabilia, as well.A recent addition to the Tecumseh Area Historical Society is the collection of Chief Tecumseh paintings commissioned for the Tecumseh McDonalds when the restaurant opened. Some clean-up is necessary for the paintings, but Rentschler is pleased with the condition of both the paintings and frames. She will be carefully cleaning the paintings to get them back in shape, probably with a gentle soap and water mixture.“Soap and water doesn’t take the paint off,” Rentschler said.The largest of the paintings will be displayed in the spring. A more comprehensive display will be determined at a later date.A few displays planned for the new year include one for those who remember Eddie Vanfleet’s service to the town. “We have the harness from the horse Eddie Vanfleet used to make his grocery deliveries,” said Rentschler.The recently removed doors from the mausoleum at Brookside Cemetery may also be on display. Historical photos of residents buried in the mausoleum will accompany the doors.“I think we’ll come up with some newer displays people haven’t seen,” Rentschler said.Thanks to a marketing campaign that leaves rack cards at area rest stops, the museum has many visitors from out of town. These visitors are another reason the board would like to see more hours for people to enjoy the museum, as visitors may have limited time in town.Many residents might not think of Tecumseh as a truly important city in history, but a visit to the Tecumseh Area Historical Society museum would bring to light all the innovations that happened here in the area. And one visit is not enough to take in all the museum has to offer.“You need to come back because displays are going to change,” said Momcilovich.Rentschler hopes for more volunteers to help put on additional programs and keep the museum open more hours. To qualify for grants, Tecumseh Area Historical Society must have its doors open three days a week.“There’s a lot of momentum going,” she said. “We’re always looking for new ideas.”For more information, to volunteer, or make a donation, call 423.2374 or email historictecumseh@gmail.com.