Yes, in 1962 The Old Mill Museum in Lindsborg was designated the county museum. Other museums have been established in the larger cities in the county: Inman, Moundridge, Marquette, Galva and McPherson featuring the cities historical aspect. The county museum has taken a back seat to these mentioned as county history do not seem that important as it once was. They do have a collection of history of the over one hundred one-room schools that were in McPherson County at one time.
Oct 2, 2020 David Nigh Email
Oct 2, 2020 David Nigh Email
BOARD OF MCPHERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (mcphersoncountyks.us)
"The Other Swedes"
“Honoring Them and Remembering Them"
~ The Groupings
"The Other Swedes"
“Honoring Them and Remembering Them"
~ The Groupings
1966 - July 31, 2021 "McPherson County Old Mill Museum"
~ Chronological listing of the Leaders
NEW
Just starting this: 6 30 22
~ Chronological listing of the Leaders
NEW
Just starting this: 6 30 22
“After the move ..., you will find one of the finest museums of this kind in the mid-west...” -- County Museum Director Tib Anderson. -- 1966 *
5,000 Bethany College Museum items were added to the 500 McPherson County Old Mill Museum items in 1966**
5,000 Bethany College Museum items were added to the 500 McPherson County Old Mill Museum items in 1966**
Changes in managing the County Museum since the College move of its collection there in 1966 under Tib Anderson
Leon Lungstrom, Christian Swenson and Howard Patrick 1980-1984
Four years later, in 1980, Director Tib Anderson would retire from his post as the McPherson County Old Mill Museum director, and Bethany College professors Leon Lungstrom and Christian Swenson and Lindsborg resident Howard Patrick would then become co-directors temporarily.
Jeanne Mogenson 1984
In 1984, Jeanne Mogenson, a Lindsborg resident since 1967, who had been working at the County Museum for a time would become a very capable director until 1986.
Dorman Lehman 1986
In 1986, Dorman Lehman, former director of the Grand Rapids Minnesota Central School Museum, took over. He would be assisted by Lindsborg resident Lenora Lynam who had been with the museum for several years in an administrative position, while Lungstrom and Swenson would then become board members.
Lorna Batterson Nelson 1990 or so to 2021
In the 1990s, McPherson resident Lorna Batterson Nelson would become the director with Lenora Lynam playing the added roles of archivist and curator.
Leon Lungstrom, Christian Swenson and Howard Patrick 1980-1984
Four years later, in 1980, Director Tib Anderson would retire from his post as the McPherson County Old Mill Museum director, and Bethany College professors Leon Lungstrom and Christian Swenson and Lindsborg resident Howard Patrick would then become co-directors temporarily.
Jeanne Mogenson 1984
In 1984, Jeanne Mogenson, a Lindsborg resident since 1967, who had been working at the County Museum for a time would become a very capable director until 1986.
Dorman Lehman 1986
In 1986, Dorman Lehman, former director of the Grand Rapids Minnesota Central School Museum, took over. He would be assisted by Lindsborg resident Lenora Lynam who had been with the museum for several years in an administrative position, while Lungstrom and Swenson would then become board members.
Lorna Batterson Nelson 1990 or so to 2021
In the 1990s, McPherson resident Lorna Batterson Nelson would become the director with Lenora Lynam playing the added roles of archivist and curator.
- McPherson County Old Mill Museum -
- Overlooking the Smoky River -
* * *
McPherson County Old Mill Museum's Taxidermy Exhibit
from the
" Bethany College Museum Natural History Collection "
(Photographs of November 1, 1999)
from the
" Bethany College Museum Natural History Collection "
(Photographs of November 1, 1999)
These early taxidermy exhibits were created by professor Dr. Deere and his students, most all from the classroom in Old Main which was Deere's for over four (4) decades. Here he is, as shown below, with some of those same exhibits shown above in the McPherson County Museum, preparing them with his students.
- Deere's Old Main Classroom Taxidermy Class -
- Deere's class with students working on a science assignment with taxidermy exhibits in the background -
* * *
TEXT OF ARTICLE:
[Giving specifics between the College and the County agreement of this historic Swedish American Bethany College Museum move of 1967]
"The Bethany College museum has found a new home.
"An agreement was signed in August by Bethany College officials and the McPherson County Commissioners for the purpose of displaying the college museum collection in the McPherson County Old Mill Park Museum located in Lindsborg.
"The Bethany College museum collection consists of artifacts, relics, pioneer material, Indian collection, historical documents and several thousand miscellaneous items. The Bethany museum has been housed on the first floor of Old Main for several years.
"The late Dr. Emil O. Deere was curator of the museum for over 50 years.
"Because of the safe keeping and maintenance of the museum, Bethany College wanted to obtain a more suitable place for the housing and viewing of the outstanding collection.
"The collection which is on loan will be known as the “Bethany College Collection.”
"The agreement between the College and McPherson County is a ten year lease and a stipulation to build a fire resistant building to display and house the collection within the next two years.
"The Smoky Valley Roller Mill and its property was made a county park about four years ago.
“Tib” Anderson, McPherson, became curator and manager of the county park when the transition was made.
"The Old Mill complex now consists of four buildings – the Old Runbeck Mill, a power house, a log cabin built in the 1870s and the present museum.
“The present plans are to build a 40 by 60 foot building to house the collection and to move in the “Sweadal,” McPherson County’s first court house,” Anderson said. He also said that the McPherson County Engineer has made test borings for footings.
"Plans are now to make the building functional and to keep it along the same décor as the other building.
“ 'At the present time we are open six months of the year. However, when thinking of expansion there will be a possibility of putting in central heating and air conditions. This will enable us to open year-around,' stated Anderson.
Since late spring, over 3,000 visitors have been through the museum from almost every state.
"The County Old Mill Park Museum has 500 items which are mostly of the pioneer era. It has been estimated that the Bethany College Collection has over 5,000 items. Items on loan to the county museum will be primarily pioneer, local historical, and local area Indian artifacts, and relics.
"Some of the collections from the College Museum will remain on the campus. Anderson said there will be few duplication in the collection and much of the material will be exhibited in a rotation system.
"Among some of the items will be the first patent adding machine which was invented by a Bethany professor.
“ 'After the move of the museum materials from the college to the County Old Mill Park Museum is finished and a building completed, you will find one of the finest museums of this kind in the mid-west,' stated Anderson.' "
[Giving specifics between the College and the County agreement of this historic Swedish American Bethany College Museum move of 1967]
"The Bethany College museum has found a new home.
"An agreement was signed in August by Bethany College officials and the McPherson County Commissioners for the purpose of displaying the college museum collection in the McPherson County Old Mill Park Museum located in Lindsborg.
"The Bethany College museum collection consists of artifacts, relics, pioneer material, Indian collection, historical documents and several thousand miscellaneous items. The Bethany museum has been housed on the first floor of Old Main for several years.
"The late Dr. Emil O. Deere was curator of the museum for over 50 years.
"Because of the safe keeping and maintenance of the museum, Bethany College wanted to obtain a more suitable place for the housing and viewing of the outstanding collection.
"The collection which is on loan will be known as the “Bethany College Collection.”
"The agreement between the College and McPherson County is a ten year lease and a stipulation to build a fire resistant building to display and house the collection within the next two years.
"The Smoky Valley Roller Mill and its property was made a county park about four years ago.
“Tib” Anderson, McPherson, became curator and manager of the county park when the transition was made.
"The Old Mill complex now consists of four buildings – the Old Runbeck Mill, a power house, a log cabin built in the 1870s and the present museum.
“The present plans are to build a 40 by 60 foot building to house the collection and to move in the “Sweadal,” McPherson County’s first court house,” Anderson said. He also said that the McPherson County Engineer has made test borings for footings.
"Plans are now to make the building functional and to keep it along the same décor as the other building.
“ 'At the present time we are open six months of the year. However, when thinking of expansion there will be a possibility of putting in central heating and air conditions. This will enable us to open year-around,' stated Anderson.
Since late spring, over 3,000 visitors have been through the museum from almost every state.
"The County Old Mill Park Museum has 500 items which are mostly of the pioneer era. It has been estimated that the Bethany College Collection has over 5,000 items. Items on loan to the county museum will be primarily pioneer, local historical, and local area Indian artifacts, and relics.
"Some of the collections from the College Museum will remain on the campus. Anderson said there will be few duplication in the collection and much of the material will be exhibited in a rotation system.
"Among some of the items will be the first patent adding machine which was invented by a Bethany professor.
“ 'After the move of the museum materials from the college to the County Old Mill Park Museum is finished and a building completed, you will find one of the finest museums of this kind in the mid-west,' stated Anderson.' "

dr._leon_lungstrom_on_the_bethany_college_museum.pdf | |
File Size: | 4816 kb |
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* The McPherson County Old Mill Museum Director quote from Wichita's Antique & Collectors Mart, text by Lindsborg's Betty Hanson, September 1976
** 1966 Bethany Magazine, Old Dobbin Moves
*** Page 31 on The Museum chapter found in Dr. Leon Lungstrom 1990 book, History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas.
** 1966 Bethany Magazine, Old Dobbin Moves
*** Page 31 on The Museum chapter found in Dr. Leon Lungstrom 1990 book, History of Natural Science and Mathematics at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas.
As of August 1, 2021, there is a new owner of these College collections, the "Natural History" one of which is in storage,
per Executive Director, November 18, 2021
per Executive Director, November 18, 2021
* * *
"Let Us Remember Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.
"Let Us Remember Them"
* * *
Swedes: TheWayTheyWere
~ restoring lost local histories ~
reconnecting past to present
* * *
All color photography throughout Swedes: The Way They Were is by Fran Cochran unless otherwise indicated.
Copyright © since October 8, 2015 to Current Year
as indicated on main menu sections of
www.swedesthewaytheywere.org. All rights reserved.