Luther Valley Historical Society's Historic Buildings in Footville Give Visitors a First Hand View of the Inner Workings of Civic Institutions From A Bygone Era

In today's technologically-obsessed culture, where everything wanted or needed appears instantly on our smartphones be that video, photos, or text many historical societies may find it difficult attracting younger generation visitors in the future. Glass display cases of old newspaper articles and yellowing photos or dust covered mannequins wearing "period era" clothing are no match for the instant gratification of modern electronic devices. 

In the 1970s, the state of Wisconsin's historical society embarked on an ambitious preservation endeavor bringing historic buildings from every corner of the state to one central location. That project which became "Old World Wisconsin," gives visitors a chance to imagine living history, strolling past a 19th century Norwegian farmstead, talking with farmers in their fields, or setting foot in a general store. Epistemic learning or learning by doing in this sense truly brings history alive beyond what any hand held technology 

can do. 

That is simply why the Luther Valley Historical Society is so remarkable. The Society overseas and owns four historic structures, three which reside in downtown Footville. There is the Footville State Bank, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), the Telephone company building, "Dial" building and historic Methodist Episcopal Church all within walking distance of each other, all in their original locations. It's like walking around a Hollywood movie set but being able to go inside each building and interact directly with the historic content of each. The vault, bank teller counters, bank ledgers telling the story of the town's growth line by line all intact inside the historic bank. The Telephone building (one of two buildings in the telephone museum) which remains much as it did when it was first built in 1914, features two 20th-century telephone switchboards one connected to 16 working phones. There are also 60 telephones, one dating from the 1893, a Western Electric phone booth, and telegraph equipment. The building was purchased from the village of Footville by the society in 1993 for one dollar and opened in 2000 thanks to tireless efforts of Myron Bohn and Blaine Snyder. Bohn like Old World Wisconsin believed in the "hands on" approach to presenting history, the world in 3D.

The "Dial" building constructed circa 1950s by the same local telephone company contains contextual, historic items and photographs. The tour for visitors begins here with a movie on the history of telephones. 

And lastly, the Methodist Episcopal Church , recently had its' stain glass windows fromt the 1840s restored sits atop of a hill overlooking Footville. 

Four historic buildings and behind it all one woman, treasurer and archivist Kay Demrow. From book keeping, to membership, writing/editing the monthly "Luther Valley News", and managing collections, the 96 year old Footville Native does it all. She even has time to mow 12 acres on her farm. "I just don't like doing the cleaning," says Demrow. 

At least in theory, each of these buildings contains the contents of their own part of Footville and America's history. But according to Demrow the Luther Valley Historical Society's board has taken the non-profit in a different direction. Much of the memorabilia and artifacts appropriate to each building in the Society's collection have been unexplicatedly moved to the church. Demrow writes in the Luther Valley News that 3 of the 4 buildings in the last 4-5 years have not received any maintenance. Floor damage is now apparent in the Telephone building due to flooding in the basement. Additionally, Demrow says that both the Dial and Telephone buildings need to be saved now even though the Society's board.

DETAILS:

Hours: Bank Archives open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm year round. Also by appointment call 608-752-1104.

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