These pictures were taken in September 2001.  You can click on any small thumbnail to see a larger version of the photo.

Outside, east of the main entrance, is our first Heritage Brick Garden.  It is filled with names, memorials, tributes and thanks from patrons of the Clinton County Historical Society.

On the front of the building is this wonderful collection of stone work from many buildings in Clinton County.  It is much larger now and truly a work of art.  It is one of my favorite things at the museum.  I am always delighted to see visitors stop and talk about the buildings represented here.  This display has sparked many memories and stories.

In front of the display is our new Heritage Garden, looking much like a large sandbox.  It is now blooming with names and the little yellow cart has been delegated to other tasks.

One of the first things you will see as you tour the museum is the display in the hall telling about the beginnings of Clinton, Lyons and Clinton County.  The room behind my son, Brad, is the break room and where I spend a majority of my time at the museum.  Not because I'm on break but because that's where the copy machine is!!

At the end of the hall are the first floor exhibits.  There are many displays for the various townships in the county, postcards and photos galore, a telephone operator, printing press, railroad display and many other neat things.  

Upstairs you can find the living room display, followed by the bedroom and then the kitchen.  There are many items here donated by the people of Clinton that represent living in the late 1800s and early 1900s.  

I am always amazed at what I find here.  The displays change constantly.  New things are added.  It is like a real home, with visitors coming and going and leaving their mark in some way, through their memories or donations.

Of course, we had to stop so Brad could get his daily dose of television!  He wasn't too interested in the beautiful fireplace mantle or guessing who the baby in the photograph might have been.  And then he had to sit in the hall outside the schoolroom.  Finally, something he understands!

Also upstairs are many more exhibits including a wonderful array of military items which has been added since these photos were taken.

And now, for what you've all been so anxious to get a peek at -- the Research Library --

While this room is small, it is packed with great stuff.  This room changes almost daily.  As people donate books, photos and family or county information, the shelves are rearranged to hold it all. 

The first photo shows the directories, school yearbooks, family histories, military, census and vital records.  The window has been covered with a dark cloth and a computer sits on the desk.  

In the second photo you can see some of the ledgers from the courthouse on the bottom shelf along with many plat books for the county.  The card file you can see in the left corner is filled with obits and other vital record information.  

Pictured here are the many history books on the county and the state along with the cookbooks that have been published by different groups in the area.  Above the bookcases, all around the room, are high school photos.  The last bookcase, which I didn't get a photo of, holds the cemetery information and misc. info on topics of interest to the county.

There is so much more that can be said about each photo and display and the members of the Clinton County Historical Society can tell you so much more than I can.  This is truly a place you never get tired of.  The people at the museum have done an absolutely wonderful job of displaying everything.  Everyone has worked so hard, and it shows. 

A special thanks goes to Jan Hansen who has worked so hard to get the library organized (among many other things).  Without her, I would be helplessly lost.