Monroe County Local History Room & Museum













News at MCLHR

History Room closed Jan. 16-22. Reopens Jan. 23.
The Monroe County Local History Room & Museum will be closed to the public from January 16 through January 22, 2024 for exhibit changing and seasonal maintenance...
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LAST CHANCE TO VIEW THE HUGE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE DISPLAY AT THE HISTORY ROOM
Saturday, January 13th is the last day to view the spectacular holiday village display, “North Pole Magic In Miniature,” at the Monroe County Local History Room & Museum in Sparta...
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Monroe County Local History Room & Museum

Volunteer Opportunities at the Local History Room


Do you have a passion for history?

Do you have a knack for genealogical research?

Do you have a desire to share your time and talent?

There is a place for you at the Local History Room.

Volunteers are the heart and soul of the Local History Room. Much of LHR's success depends on the many volunteers who contribute their time and talent in a variety of areas:

  • Enter data into our Monroe County Newspaper Index database (ongoing)
  • Construct exhibit cases and display furniture
  • Research genealogy inquiries that are sent into the Local History Room (ongoing)
  • Catalog the Local History Room's artifacts and archives
  • Examine the Library's bookshelves and files to ensure proper order (needed two times a year, four hours each time)
  • Preserve obituaries by cutting them out of newspapers and photocopying them onto acid-free paper (ongoing)
  • Organize special events, public programs, and guest speakers at the Local History Room and Wegner Grotto (ongoing)
  • Beautify the Wegner Grotto: plant flowers, rake the grounds, vacuum inside the Glass Church (spring and fall)
  • Fold brochures (twice a year, four hours each time)
  • Assist with annual mailing: folding letters, stuffing and sealing envelopes, applying mailing labels (once a year)
  • Fabricate shelving for storage areas
  • Paint exhibit cases and panels when exhibits change
  • Enter names and addresses in our mailing list database
  • Index historical records and archival materials so that are of greater use to researchers and genealogists
  • Identify historic "mystery" photographs of people, places, and events from our county.
  • Assist with exhibit fabrication: mount pictures, cut foamboard, paint wood (four times throughout the year)
  • Identify potential lenders to "Collector's Corner" changing display area; schedule when collectors will bring in their collections and assist with installation of the display (seasonal)
  • Process the Monroe County Criminal Records: photocopy, consolidate, index (ongoing)
  • Create slideshows on historical topics, such as "One-room Schoolhouses," "Main Streets of Monroe County," and "Natural Disasters."
Email Jarrod or call 608-269-8680 for more information about volunteering at the Local History Room.