Minutes of The Windsor-Severance Historical Society
May 19, 2025
The Windsor-Severance Historical Society met in person on Monday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m. at the Windsor History Museum Train Depot. In attendance were Kristie Melendez, Sue Buxmann, Gary Martin, Laura Browarny, and Judy Firestien. Emily Crennan from the Windsor Museum was attending also.
Call to Order – Kristie called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m.
Monthly Reports/Approvals
April Minutes – The Minutes from the previous meeting on April 28, 2025 were reviewed and approved as presented.
Treasurer’s Report – The April 17th bank statement showed the balance in checking was $7,009.79. The balance in savings was $14,864.74 and the balance in the CD was about $20,000. Several payments had been made which were reflected on the statement.
Membership Info – May Membership Drive status – Kristie had circulated the postcard and letter for review. Materials are now at the printer and will go out this week. Letters will go out to current members with a self-addressed, return envelope. The postcard will go out to the membership list of the Windsor Chamber and others who have been involved previously; this will go out to about 645 addresses. Kristie also posted this on the WSHS Facebook page. She suggested everyone should bring a friend to the next meeting. Kristie had not received a membership list or reply from the Severance Chamber. We will continue to promote the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the organization.
Old Business
2026 Memorabilia Items – Sam had presented some ideas on shirts, hats and totebags previously but was not able to attend the meeting. He would provide pricing information and more at the June meeting. There was interest in the T shirt with the sugar beet above the pocket. We might be able to order small quantities through a local business. Places and methods for selling would still need to be determined. Samples might be ordered after getting more information in June. A sales display might be located at the Museum for ordering items. A 4” sticker could be ordered at 500 for $164 and used for different opportunities; sold or given away. Calendars were discussed. A theme would be needed and calendars could be available for sale in November. Printing and design for $500 would be about $3,500 and the calendars could be sold for $10 each. Pictures could represent milestones of the WSHS organization such as moving of the depot, rendering of the creation of the statue, history book, picture of oral history interviewees, recipe book, story of the history of the old town hall, and history of buildings in the outdoor museum. Milestones might be taken from the brochure. A resin sugar beet ornament could be created. Note cards might be very expensive to create. Dean and his son could not find the other images that had been mentioned. After further discussion, Judy moved and Sue seconded a themed calendar for the 50th Anniversary be created for 2026. Motion carried.
The history exhibit at the military readiness center and the commemorative bricks could also be mentioned. The Poudre Heritage Area also has a gift shop at the Eaton House where items might be sold as a site within the Museum. An exhibit for 2026 promoting the WSHS might be created at the Museum. Laura added on demand or small batch items could be produced; GOJOs in Greeley would do this and Kristie also has a vendor in Severance. Non-sized items could be ordered in a larger batch.
Laura added the Museum is doing a big 50th birthday celebration for the Depot; possibly a three day event over a weekend. All the exhibits are being refreshed with interactive items. It could be a grand opening of the exhibit, happy birthday to the Museum, thank you to the WSHS and the Historic Preservation group would also like to be involved since this was Windsor’s first historic preservation project. The event would most likely be held during May next year for Historic Preservation Month. Big celebration and great time to sell SWAG and memberships!
2025 Family Farm Tour – Tentatively scheduled for Friday, October 10th. The Museum should be doing fall scheduling in May/June so a date could be confirmed soon. Laura would run the date by Heidi; Thursday, October 9th would be another possible date.
2025 Legends and Lessons – November 9th is the proposed date for the Legends and Lessons event tentatively to be held at the Dickey House/Halfway Homestead. Kristie would like to nominate Ruth Firestien. Everyone needs to think of more nominees.
New Treasurer – Tammy Boehler – Documents need to be signed at Bank of Colorado by officers. New Business
Severance Ribbon Cutting Chamber Party – Since the WSHS joined the Severance Chamber, the organization could do a ribbon cutting gathering with Vecino’s being the location for the event. It could be an evening event and would let Severance folks know about the organization. Information will go out in the newsletter at the end of the month before the event. Appetizers could be provided with attendees buying their own drinks and meals. August 1 is Colorado Day which could be tied into as an historical event and is also a Friday. Maybe hold the event from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
There will be a Historic Preservation soft opening at the Halfway House on May 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to celebrate the completion of the Dickey House. There would be a grand opening when the Halfway House is completed. The June 23rd meeting could be held at the Dickey House (335 McNeil Drive – Turn on Grand Avenue, enter from north and west).
Windsor News – Laura mentioned the Eaton House is all done and the Poudre Heritage Alliance is leasing space in the House for now for offices, visitor center and a gift shop. The History Museum opens this Friday; the Museum will be open Friday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The WSHS Facebook page is still performing very well and there are a lot of great comments. The Depot event might be a good collaborative project between WSHS and HPC even though the organizations have different missions. A meeting might be scheduled through Laura in the future. Kim Lambrecht is chair of the HPC.
Severance Liaison Replacement – Nothing further to report at this time.
Severance News – Nothing to report.
Board Communications – Ruth has requested the purchase of a storage card to help load videos onto YouTube at a price of $9.99. The different YouTube channels need to be clarified as well as video locations. Videos might be put on the Town’s YouTube channel. Kristie would tell Ruth to go ahead and order the card, WSHS would reimburse Ruth, and Laura would talk with the Town’s communication team.
Next Meeting – The meeting was adjourned at 11:16 a.m. The next meeting will be on June 23, 2025 at the Dickey House.
Respectfully submitted, Judy Firestien, Secretary