O’Fallon Museum Board – Meeting Minutes November 17th 2025

O’Fallon Museum Board

Minutes

November 17, 2025

Present Absent

Toni Reetz, Trustee

Linda Rost, Secretary

Vaughn Zenko, Curator

Curt Williams, Chairman
Tiffany Davis, Trustee

Pat Ehret, Trustee

Convene:

The meeting was called to order by Curt at 4:06 pm at the O’Fallon Museum metal building.

Public Comment: Time limit 10 minutes per subject.

Minutes: Read by trustees.

Toni made a motion to approve the minutes as presented and Tiffany seconded. Minutes approved.

Accessions

Deaccessions

Discussion of Curator’s Report

305 visitors for October
2382 for the year (total 2880 last year)
415 visitors from out of town (9 states haven’t visited)
October:
- In-depth research for the Albert and Stanley North family
  - Stanley ran for Sheriff
  - Albert was a saddle maker
- Author Brad Hurd – author of small town stories – will feature Vandervoort, Fritz, and Steer Montana
- Three Lego days, school fun Friday, Eastern Plains Economic Development, Arts Council, Montana Nonprofit Association meetings
Officially accepted into the Democracy and Dialogue program Smithsonian Museum
- Will pair with another community
- Will start in January with 15-20 students
- How has our community contributed to 250 years of the American experience?
- Complete a final public project
Montana Performing Arts Consortium in Great Falls – Have booked two events
- Dinosaur Dimensions (animatronic dinosaurs) – need Longfellow stage – Nov 5, 2026 – $5000
- Keith Alessi – “Tomatoes Tried to Kill Me, but Banjos Saved My Life” – Cancer and banjo story – May 2026 – Will come for free
- Some may be Heritage Fest performers for 2027
Heritage Fest – Saturday, June 6 – Need a band!

Old Business

New Business

Loan to Visitor Center – Want to rotate items from the Visitor Center
- They want dinosaurs, homesteads, Native Americans
- Will put the formation of Baker stuff in the new exhibit here.
- Adjusted the contract so they can’t move the artifacts without permission.
Holiday Events
- Melissa did some Sunday afternoon winter events
- Parade of Lights with the train with Santa Claus in the front
$100 donation from Sheldon Rediske to the museum
Other New Business
- Any information about Willard – Known as Minnesota Valley
- Talking Trail – Can be online with 30 sites – Must get landowner permission

Next Meeting: Monday, Jan. 12, 2026 at 4 pm.

Adjournment: Curt adjourned the meeting at 4:50 pm.

_______________________________ __________________________________

Curt Williams, Chairman Recording Secretary, Linda Rost, Trustee

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