County museum plans windmill dedication, Fourth of July events

SUBMITTED ARTICLE

The public celebration of the erection of a historic windmill on the newly-created green space at the Antelope County Museum will take place throughout the day on July 4.

The windmill’s placement is the culmination of months of planning and preparation and a partnership between the Antelope County Historical Society and Issiaih Yott, executive director of the Kregel Windmill Factory Museum in Nebraska City.

“We are thrilled that this windmill will remain on our site as a testament to Antelope County’s agricultural roots,” said Donna Hanson, executive director of the Antelope County Museum. “It is the capstone of months of work and will be a highlight for all of our many visitors.”

The museum’s celebration will start on July 3 with a performance by the dancers of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska at 1 p.m. on the Antelope County Courthouse lawn. The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs to relax and enjoy the dance. Following the dance performance the Antelope County Historical Society will officially return a sacred pipe to the tribe.

“Vendors will set up tables on both July 3 and 4 between the the one-room schoolhouse and former St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. They will be there with crafts, antiques and other business products from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days,” Hanson said.

On the 4th, in addition to the vendors, there will be two food trucks offering treats, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., on the north side of the church.

At 2 p.m., the new public meeting room at the museum will be dedicated in honor of George and Ruth Strassler, both of whom served for years on the ACHS board and provided countless hours of volunteer work.

Yott, a noted windmill expert, will be available on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., to discuss the new windmill and explain its workings and its historic significance.

“Yott has worked with knowledgeable windmill specialists. He has a passion for windmills. He understands each part used in windmills, and he can explain how different types were developed,” Hanson said.

The Kregel Windmill Factory built the ELI windmill and is now a museum that showcases its history and construction. It took years of research to reach this milestone. Yott has been instrumental in erecting two windmills at the Nebraska State Fair park in Grand Island and also one at the Arbor Day Lodge in Nebraska City.

“We are honored and privileged that Yott is partnering with us,” Hanson said.

The Antelope County Museum’s mission is to collect and preserve the history of Antelope County. The museum building houses artifacts and displays about the county’s history at 410 L Street (Highway 275). Also part of the complex is the one-room schoolhouse, a log cabin and St Peter’s Episcopal Church. The church is no longer used for regular worship, but is available for tours, events and weddings.

The museum’s goal is also to educate youth and the general public about the county’s rich history to encourage everyone to commit themselves to making Antelope County a better place today and in the future.