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Their "1881" Bethany Academy 1882 "First Building" in 2022
~ Its foundational importance to Bethany College
Their "1881" Bethany Academy 1882 "First Building" in 2022
~ Its foundational importance to Bethany College
In 1969 this building was moved from the Bethany Campus to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum Heritage Park, a Swedish-type open air museum.
From 1969 to 2013, there was a "Bethany Academy" sign in front of this building, as it was celebrated as the "First Building" of the Bethany Academy, today's Bethany College. Within this building were many wonderful displays of Bethany College's foundational history including enlarged photographs, embracing the Swedish cultural heritage, of the Bethany College Oratorio Society Messiah performances with international renown opera stars and musicians, and other important college memorabilia of that era.
From 1969 to 2013, there was a "Bethany Academy" sign in front of this building, as it was celebrated as the "First Building" of the Bethany Academy, today's Bethany College. Within this building were many wonderful displays of Bethany College's foundational history including enlarged photographs, embracing the Swedish cultural heritage, of the Bethany College Oratorio Society Messiah performances with international renown opera stars and musicians, and other important college memorabilia of that era.
" Bethany Academy Building "
- The Bethany Academy sign was removed in 2013 and it is identified as Lindsborg's "First School House" -
- The Bethany Academy sign was removed in 2013 and it is identified as Lindsborg's "First School House" -
Moved to the McPherson County Old Mill Museum Heritage Park in 1969 from Bethany College
In 2013, the decision was made by the McPherson County Old Mill Museum to create an exhibit to reflect the building's "first and original" identity as the "1879 first public school building in Lindsborg." Thus, the Bethany Academy building sign was taken away. The historic early college memorabilia and artifacts on display within it were returned to the Bethany College Archives, and the building was repainted. *
Since that time, this "first" most important building of Bethany College has had no visual connection with the institution it first served and has had no historical linkage of importance to its role of becoming a real functional school for the Bethany Academy, for our Bethany College.
The McPherson County Old Mill Museum reported in 2018 that one day this building will be promoted as a building of dual historical educational importance to both Lindsborg and the College to include "new exhibits that encompass the entire history of the structure from its conception to the current day."** This will then restore its true historical Swedish and Swedish American significance of Swensson's Bethany College's Bethany Academy beginnings of 1882.
A letter was written to the Museum to follow up on this in 2019 to see if the status had changed. There was no reply, which would imply that no further attempt has been made to identify this most important first College building with the Bethany College.
To learn why this, now, unidentified Bethany College building is so important to its foundational history and heritage, go HERE. To let the "non-identity college" status continue, places Bethany College at a high risk of losing its most important visually "beginnings," the intrinsic value of its "First Building" forever.
In August of 2021 there was a change of ownership of the McPherson County Old Mill Museum and the name was changed to the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Musuem. With the new owners came a refreshed declaration of transparency and serving the public at large. And, with that, there is hope that Bethany College's "First Building" will be displayed as much, along with Lindsborg's "First School."
To whomever is reading this: If the "Bethany Academy" sign has been replaced in front of Bethany's "First Building," please contact SWEDES, HERE, so this information of May 12, 2022, can be updated to reflect the truth of this situation. Many thanks, FC
* Information from McPherson County Old Mill Museum April 27, 2018.
** Information from McPherson County Old Mill Museum July 25, 2018.
Since that time, this "first" most important building of Bethany College has had no visual connection with the institution it first served and has had no historical linkage of importance to its role of becoming a real functional school for the Bethany Academy, for our Bethany College.
The McPherson County Old Mill Museum reported in 2018 that one day this building will be promoted as a building of dual historical educational importance to both Lindsborg and the College to include "new exhibits that encompass the entire history of the structure from its conception to the current day."** This will then restore its true historical Swedish and Swedish American significance of Swensson's Bethany College's Bethany Academy beginnings of 1882.
A letter was written to the Museum to follow up on this in 2019 to see if the status had changed. There was no reply, which would imply that no further attempt has been made to identify this most important first College building with the Bethany College.
To learn why this, now, unidentified Bethany College building is so important to its foundational history and heritage, go HERE. To let the "non-identity college" status continue, places Bethany College at a high risk of losing its most important visually "beginnings," the intrinsic value of its "First Building" forever.
In August of 2021 there was a change of ownership of the McPherson County Old Mill Museum and the name was changed to the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Musuem. With the new owners came a refreshed declaration of transparency and serving the public at large. And, with that, there is hope that Bethany College's "First Building" will be displayed as much, along with Lindsborg's "First School."
To whomever is reading this: If the "Bethany Academy" sign has been replaced in front of Bethany's "First Building," please contact SWEDES, HERE, so this information of May 12, 2022, can be updated to reflect the truth of this situation. Many thanks, FC
* Information from McPherson County Old Mill Museum April 27, 2018.
** Information from McPherson County Old Mill Museum July 25, 2018.
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~ 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.
