The Wayne County Historical Society has announced its 2022 schedule of events.
Mark your calendars for “Yesterday’s Lady,” Sue McLain. Sue will be presenting, “To Top it Off, History of the Hat” on Saturday, April 23 in the Elkhorn Room in the Cantor Student Center on the Wayne State College campus, starting at 2 p.m. The event will also feature a tea party and all guests are encouraged to don their favorite hats.
The Wayne County Museum will officially open for the season on Memorial Day weekend, Sunday, May 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. The Historical Society will host music on the porch with refreshments served.
A “Garden Tour” is in the plans for the summer with the date to be announced.
The “Tour of Homes” will return this year. The popular event has been canceled the last two years due to COVID-19 concerns. The dates for this year’s tour will be Friday, Nov.18 and Saturday, Nov. 19.
The Wayne County Historical Society officers for 2022 include Rachel Kunz, president; Eric Colvard, vice-president; Loreta Tompkins, secretary and Rita McLean, treasurer. Members of the board of directors include: Sandra Bartling, Marlene Broer, Jim Broer, Lou Wiltse and Zach Kunz.
The Wayne County Historical Society invites everyone to “like” their Facebook page, Wayne County NE Historical Society Museum.
Memberships can be purchased by contacting Rachel Kunz at (402) 363-8548 and are $20 for the 2022 year. Memberships assist in the upkeep and maintenance of the Wayne County Museum.
The Wayne County Historical Society maintains The Wayne County Museum, which is located at 702 Lincoln Street, the corner of Highway 35 and Lincoln Street.
It was built in 1900 for Dr. W.C. Wightman at a cost of about $13,000. The historic property boasts a courting corner, stained glass, four coal-burning fireplaces and fretwork.
One of the most unique features of the house are the intricate parquet floors on the first level. Two rooms are of oak and walnut while the other two rooms are of oak and mahogany. Each room has a different border and center pattern than the others.
The Ley family purchased the home from Dr. Wightman in 1912 and in 1976, donated it to the Wayne County Historical Society. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is currently decorated and furnished much as it would have been at the turn of the last century.
The Wayne County Museum hours of operation will be Memorial Day Sunday through Labor Day Sunday, 2-4 p.m. To arrange for a weekday or special group tour, contact Marlene Broer at (402) 369-2862.
