Harvard’s Historical Society is breathing new life into the former Apfel Funeral Home with its newly-developed museum.
The location for the museum started with Zack Rudy looking at a hearse for sale in April. While there, he found out the building was going to be sold, and ended up walking away as the owner of a couple of hearses and the building.
Updates on the building began at the end of May, and since then a lot of work has been done. Some walls have been knocked down to make the walking area more fluid downstairs; painting is in the works; areas throughout the building have been cleaned; and various areas have been remodeled to fit their needs.
“We’ve really made traction,” Rudy said.
Along with the building housing the HHS’s Museum, it will also serve as the base for Rudy’s Classic Autos, and a small portion near the front of the building will be used for Apfel Funeral Home— they have a lifetime lease.
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When remodeling the building, Rudy said he wanted the building to feel like a part of the museum’s history too, not just as a shell holding the history.
As he put it, the building lends to the town’s history, due to its long-standing stay in Harvard.
To celebrate the museum and the hard work put in, HHS is hosting a tailgate BBQ starting at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29. It will go until the end of the Husker Volleyball game against USC, which will be projected during the event.
The meal is freewill donation, and after eating visitors can walk around the museum.
HHS recently hosted an invitation-only meet-up with members of the community, including current and past mayors, superintendent of schools, business owners, firemen, past teachers, VFW Legion and Auxiliary commander and president, and various board members throughout the community, among others. About 30 people joined in for the event, where they were also asked to give feedback about their future museum.
This included whether anyone knew the best way to preserve historical artifacts and documents; fundraising options; preserving original wood floors; and other suggestions on the building and grounds, related to HHS.
The HHS Board is still working through the kinks of starting and developing a museum, but have a lot of ideas in the works.
Displays of all kinds will be planned throughout the building, including upstairs. For those unable to go upstairs, HHS shared the idea of taking photos of displays and having them available downstairs to view.
DONATIONS
If you’d like to donate to HHS, you can send it to Harvard Historical Society, PO Box 520, Harvard, NE 68944; make checks out to the Harvard Historical Society.
If you would like to use your donation toward a tax write-off, make your check payable to the ‘Harvard Community Foundation’ and send it to the Historical Society PO Box 520 address.
Donations can also be made as memorials or dedications to someone, and donators of monetary gifts will be recognized on a plaque.
HHS’s tiered giving levels are: Freshman Level with gifts less than $100, Sophomore Level $100 - $199, Junior Level $200 - $499, Senior Level $500, and Graduate Level of any donations over $900.
HHS is accepting historically significant items for the museum. This can be from the school or the town in general, but must have a Harvard tie to be considered.
Follow them on Facebook for up-to-date information on the museum @Harvard Historical Society .
MISSION and INTENT HHS promotes the preservation of historical facts and memorabilia for Harvard, NE, and Harvard High School. They aim to preserve, protect, and display Harvard’s history for the enjoyment of all.
