Shanes Crossing Historical Society News – March 2024
SHANES CROSSING HISTORICAL SOCIETY
MEETING MINUTES 3/18/2024
Norm opened the meeting with the ‘bell ringing’. — And started the meeting with the Shanes Crossing History Society History. The Society started in 1995 and has 2 previous Presidents. After Norm retired from Parkway School, the society thought he would make a good President and he’s been at it ever since. 25 Years in fact. The Society started in the town building when it was located on Main Street. The meetings were held upstairs in the old teen center.
One summer when Norm and Jeff Long were manning the grills at the Van Wert County Fair they began talking about the need for the historical society to have more room. At that time the Rockford Lumber building was up for sale. That evening they came up with a plan – a win win – for both the Village and the Historical Society. The Society recently had a large donation from an estate. The Society would take that money and purchase the lumber building and donate it to the Village. The Village would have more office space and shop area and the historical society would have room to display the many items that had already been donated.
Has worked out very well.
The new Parkway school was in the process of being built and the old school was going to be coming down. The administration told the historical society that they could have any items they needed for the museum. So all the ceiling tile that’s in place came from the old school. The trophy cases, and all the Rockford High School graduation photos we have on display came from the old school.
Once we got moved into this building, we got into the business of working to restore the log cabin of our Founding Father – Anthony Shane. The cabin was located on the King Farm just outside Rockford. With some research we are 99% sure that this is the actual cabin that Anthony Shane built and lived in. It was tore down and rebuilt at Shanes Park with many volunteers.
As you can see – the museum is full and the need to expand is something that is being considered. We have many items on the back dock that we don’t have room to display and that people don’t even know we have. On display we have the old train depot window that went to California and with the help of Celina Moving and Storage made its way back to Rockford. The old Rockford High School drum was sold to an individual at the IC Festival auction and made its way back the museum.
A special guest attended the meeting – Rebekah Binkley Montgomery. She has fond memories of the Rockford Area and has written a book called ‘Hunt the Straight Path Home’ and it’s being released yet this week by Abundance-Books.com. The book takes place in the Rockford area in 1917.
Norm stated the real reason for the meeting was that he is retiring and handing leadership of the Shanes Crossing Historical Society over to Mike Schumm — long time Vice President.
Meeting was then turned over to Mike Schumm —
Mayor Ron Searight read a Proclamation to honor Norm’s 25 Years as Shanes Crossing Historical Society President.
WHEREAS, we are here today to express special recognition to
Norm VanTilburg and to honor him for his 25 years of distinguished service as
President of the Shanes Crossing Historical Society; and
WHEREAS, Norm and his wife Deanne are charter members since March of 1995, which was the beginning of the Historical Society, each have contributed to the society in their own way, and as a couple together that have been united in marriage for 62 years; and
WHEREAS, Norm through his leadership, helped secure the purchase of the Rockford Lumber office for the museum, was a part of the removal and rebuilding of the log cabin at the Shanes Park, and he has overseen museum growth to where it is looking to expand; and
WHEREAS, Norm will be missed for his desire to promote the historical facts of the Rockford area. As he has been a friend to so many people, and has displayed the highest example of character, ethics, morals and unselfish service to this community and beyond, as he has been a teacher, coach, principle, but even more a leader; and
WHEREAS, on behalf of the entire Village, I want to express my sincere appreciation to Norm VanTilburg for his dedication to the Rockford Community and wish him much happiness as he begins this new chapter in his life.
PROCLAIMED this 18th day of March 2024.
Mike Schumm wrote and read a peom called – Salute to Norm VanTilburg
FOR 25 YEARS THE PRESIDENT WAS HE,
OF ROCKFORD’S SHANES CROSSING HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
HIS COMMITMENT TO HISTORY WAS HIS MAIN QUEST,
BUT HIS SHARING THAT KNOWLEDGE IS WHAT MADE HIM BEST.
HIS PASSION TO PRESERVE THE THINGS OF THE PAST,
SO MEMORIES NE’ER BE FORGOTTEN AND FOREVER WILL LAST.
NORM HAS BEEN A FIXTURE AT THE HISTORICAL MUSEUM,
WHERE HISTORIANS AND STUDENTS CAME EAGER TO SEE HIM.
PEOPLE LIKE NORM ARE UNIQUE AND RARE,
WHEN YOU MEET HIM YOU KNOW HE REALLY DOES CARE.
A GREAT LISTENER, THE BEST TEACHER THIS MESSAGE I SEND,
TO A MAN WHO I CALL BOTH MENTOR AND DEAR FRIEND.
AN EDUCATOR, A PRINCIPAL, AND EVEN A COACH,
HIS CHARACTER AND INFLUENCE ARE BEYOND REPROACH.
WE SAY ‘THANK YOU NORM’ – WE SAY IT WITH GLEE,
SO YOU CAN SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR WIFE DEE.
WE WISH YOU ‘THE BEST’ – THE BEST YOU DESERVE,
AS WE ENJOY THE HISTORY THAT YOU DID PRESERVE.
WE HOPE YOU HANG AROUND TO MAKE US THE WISER,
AS ULTIMATE GUIDE AND HISTORICAL ADVISOR.
TO CONCLUDE THIS POEM, THESE WORDS WE DO SEND,
‘GOOD LUCK’ AND ‘GOD BLESS’ TO A LEGEND AND FRIEND.
Mr. Frech and Mr. Minnich both spoke and shared their appreciation for all that Norm has accomplished with the society and the museum.
Dee VanTilburg has decided to step down as the society Secretary. Lisa Kuhn presented a gift of thank you and appreciate for Dee’s years right beside Norm and always ready to furnish lemonade and scotcheroos ! Thank you Dee !
BUSINESS ITEMS:
Brad Now has graciously volunteered to become the new Vice President.
We are looking for a Secretary. Lisa Kuhn is the current Treasurer.
Need a committee to select the SCHS Parkway Scholarship.
Seeking donations for the log cabin restoration project – $40-$50,000.
Looking to restore an original Lloyd Buggy – $10-$12,000
Looking to add on to the museum or build a new building, or possibly a train depot to move here and restore – in front of the museum towards Main St.
Repair and replace the signs at the log cabin.
Will be planning a special event date to place the new Historical Marker – mentions Johnny Appleseed and Anthony Shane. To be placed at the Johnny Appleseed tree area between Mike Schumm property and the American Legion.
Need to purchase a new computer, printer, video camera — would like to start recording presentations to save for future generations.
Possible purchase – of a Village Hall and Museum sign for Main Street – signage to travelers that we are here.
Possible purchase – microfilm scanner / printer – costly but would be nice to be able to view all the microfilm we have easier that what we have and also have the ability to print articles.
Greg Shipley – has made contact. He is a professional excavator of historic sites and is planning to come to Rockford at some point — he is researching areas that General Anthony Wayne traveled. Could start later in the Summer.
Other items discussed –
Mr. Minnich – noted that all the students 4th grade and up have been to the museum and the log cabin for a field trip to learn local history. Perhaps the school can do some sort of fundraiser to help with the log cabin restoration project.
Mr. Frech will be speaking about Indians in the Parkway District at the next meeting on April 15th at 7 pm.
