Society Saturday - Bringing a National Project to Completion

In 2011-2012, the National President of the Children of the American Colonists, Amanda Nagy, chose an exhibit at Isle a la Cache museum as her National Project.  This museum, southwest of Chicago, tells the story of the early fur-traders in northern Illinois.  After meeting with the Museum Director Mr. Klinkhamer, they agreed that a hands-on display at the museum's hat shop would be a good project for the money she proposed to raise.  This display would help visitors understand what happened to the furs once they reached Europe.

Thus started her "Hats Off to Our Heritage" project.  She sold lapel pins and accepted donations.  After a year, she had raised over twice the amount originally proposed.  In August 2012, she presented a check to the Will County Forest Preserve (owner of the museum) for over $2500.

Recently, Amanda was the guest of honor at a reception to officially open the exhibit.  Because she had raised more than planned, and due to good in-house stewardship of her donation, the museum was able to enhance not only the hat shop exhibit but the dock exhibit as well.

Interpretive Facility Coordinator Harry Klinkhamer welcomes guests to the Hat shop

At this hands-on station, visitors can prepare the fur for hat making 

New clothing items were added for the "dress up" station

Mr. Klinkhamer describes the enhancements to the Dock exhibit

 

There was even money left over to build a custom coatrack

Honorary National President Amanda Nagy addresses the group

Mr. Klinkhamer presents the new signage to Miss Nagy, assisted by Forest Preserve President Joseph Babich

The cake at the reception had her "Hats Off" symbol

 

 

Here is the video of the reception and presentation -

 

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